Biocompatible PCL/PLGA/Polypyrrole Composites for Regenerating Nerves

Abstract

In the field of regenerative medicine, many studies have focused on regenerating peripheral nerves because clinical problems and functional loss of organs are affecting an increasing number of people. Biocompatible polymers can be potentially used for producing biocompatible tubes in order to aid the regeneration of peripheral nerves. This study aims to prepare polymeric composites based on polycaprolactone (PCL), poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA), and polypyrrole fibers (PPy) capable of acting as a conduit for regenerating peripheral nerves. Polypyrrole is synthesized by oxidative chemical polymerization with p‐toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (PTSA) as a doping agent. PCL/PLGA blends (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30) (m/m) and PCL/PLGA composites with 10% PPy fibers were prepared by the solvent casting method. PPy with a diameter of 88–974 nm showed electrical conductivity of 2.0 × 10−1 S cm−1. The nontoxic composite films with hydrophilic and porous surfaces presented a thermal stability and degradation period that were suitable for potential use in the regeneration of peripheral nerves.

Tailoring synthetic polymeric biomaterials towards nerve tissue engineering: a review

“…Owing to sustained-release properties, film-forming ability, favourable thermal stability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, PLGA has been approved by the US FDA for biomedical applications [65,66]. PLGA-based materials are advantageous for tissue engineering purposes in that they have micropores on the surface that lead to high nutrient permeability and subsequently improvement of cell attachment and proliferation [67].…”

On the Interaction between 1D Materials and Living Cells

“…Polymeric NFs with electric conductive properties have been employed for engineering neuronal biointerfaces. As shown by Ferreira et al [ 197 ] the dispersion of polypyrrole (PPY) fibres (diameter in the 100–1000 nm range) within biodegradable PCL/PLGA polymeric matrix permitted to increase the electrical conductivity up to 0.1 S·cm −1 [ 197 ]. In another example, Nekouian et al [ 198 ] reported on the fabrication by electrospinning of PCL/PPY/MWCNTs fibrous structure for the electrical stimulation and differentiation of trabecular meshwork MSCs.…”

Assessment of Biocompatibility and Vascular Effects of Polymeric Materials Using Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane, an Alternative Method

“…[5,6] To reduce the number of animals used, appropriate in vitro investigations can be used for screening prospective materials for estimations of toxic effects. [7,8] Cytotoxicity in vitro assay is the first test to evaluate the biocompatibility of any material used in biomedical devices. However, these tests have a great number of limitations and cannot mimic the biological environment.…”