BIOCOMPATIBILITY EVALUATION OF DRUG RELEASING ABSORBABLE VASCULAR STENTS

Abstract

This study examined the biocompatibility of blood vessels and a biodegradable drug-loaded vascular stent. The Traditional Chinese Medicine System Laboratory of Chung Yuan Christian University prepared the vascular stent, and our study verified the sustained release of drugs from the stent when it was within blood vessels. A platelet adhesion experiment revealed that stents with less surface roughness resulted in a reduction in the number of adhered platelets and decreased fibrinogen accumulation. The results of a hemolysis experiment verified that the hemolysis index was between 1% and 1.4%, within the range of no hemolysis and would not cause hypoxia. Subsequently, a drug release rate experiment indicated that the amount of released everolimus increased with time. The greatest amount of drug that was released occurred at 8[Formula: see text]h, with a release rate of 36.95%. A swelling rate experiment revealed that the degree of swelling of the hyaluronic acid (HA) that contained everolimus was 10 times less than that of the original HA; therefore, the use of a material with a low swelling rate in vascular stents did not immediately cause an obstruction in blood vessels. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) toxicity experiment revealed that the percentage of LDH released was 13–18%. This indicated that the cell viability was not affected and that there was no cytotoxicity; thus, the stent was suitable for use in blood vessels. This study proved that the prepared biodegradable drug-loaded vascular stent had favorable blood compatibility, no cytotoxicity, and a suitable drug release rate. Moreover, the drug release material was made from a material with a low degree of swelling. As a result of our findings, this new type of stent is suitable for application in blood vessels.