Antibacterial coatings for electroceutical devices based on PEDOT decorated with gold and silver particles.

The continuous progression in the field of electrotherapies implies the development of multifunctional materials exhibiting excellent electrochemical performance and biocompatibility, promoting cell adhesion, and possessing antibacterial properties. Since the conditions favouring the adhesion of mammalian cells are similar to conditions favouring the adhesion of bacterial cells, it is necessary to engineer the surface to exhibit selective toxicity, i.e., to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria without damaging mammalian tissues. The aim of this paper is to introduce a surface modification approach based on a subsequent deposition of silver and gold particles on the surface of a conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). The resulting PEDOT-Au/Ag surface is found to possess optimal wettability, roughness, and surface features making it an excellent platform for cell adhesion. By depositing Ag particles on PEDOT surface decorated with Au particles, it is possible to reduce toxic effects of Ag particles, while maintaining their antibacterial activity. Besides, electroactive and capacitive properties of PEDOT-Au/Ag account for its applicability in various electroceutical therapies.

Biodegradable Scaffolds for Vascular Regeneration Based on Electrospun Poly(L-Lactide-co-Glycolide)/Poly(Isosorbide Sebacate) Fibers.

Vascular regeneration is a complex process, additionally limited by the low regeneration potential of blood vessels. Hence, current research is focused on the design of artificial materials that combine biocompatibility with a certain rate of biodegradability and mechanical robustness. In this paper, we have introduced a scaffold material made of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)/poly(isosorbide sebacate) (PLGA/PISEB) fibers fabricated in the course of an electrospinning process, and confirmed its biocompatibility towards human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The resulting material was characterized by a bimodal distribution of fiber diameters, with the median of 1.25 µm and 4.75 µm. Genotyping of HUVEC cells collected after 48 h of incubations on the surface of PLGA/PISEB scaffolds showed a potentially pro-angiogenic expression profile, as well as anti-inflammatory effects of this material. Over the course of a 12-week-long hydrolytic degradation process, PLGA/PISEB fibers were found to swell and disintegrate, resulting in the formation of highly developed structures resembling seaweeds. It is expected that the change in the scaffold structure should have a positive effect on blood vessel regeneration, by allowing cells to penetrate the scaffold and grow within a 3D structure of PLGA/PISEB, as well as stabilizing newly-formed endothelium during hydrolytic expansion.