Degradation behaviors of bioabsorbable P3/4HB monofilament suture in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

The biodegradable behaviors of monofilament suture made from bacterial biopolyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P3/4HB) was investigated both in lipase solution and by implant into rat tergal muscles. Results showed that the monofilament suture lost its tensile strength gradually accompanied by decrease of molecular weight. The suture retained approximately 65% of its original strength after lipase degradation for 12 weeks, whereas the molecular weight decreased from 4.5 x 10(5) to 3.8 x 10(5). However, the crystallinity of the suture, after lipase degradation for 12 weeks, increased from 27 to 33%. This may ascribe to improve orientation arrangement of molecular chain in the monofilament after the fragment from amorphous regions dissolved in the buffer solution. The roughness of surface morphology increased with degradation. Rat implantation showed no remarkable tissue responses during in vivo degradation. Foreign body reactions were much milder than chromic catgut, which is one of the most common commercially available sutures.

Review Paper: Absorbable Polymeric Surgical Sutures: Chemistry, Production, Properties, Biodegradability, and Performance

“…Tested monofilament sutures made of PHB and P(3HB-co-3HV)s exhibited the strength necessary for the healing of muscle-fascial wounds [79]. Chen et al [241] investigated degradation behavior of monofilament suture made from P(3HB-co-3HV) both in lipase solution and by implant into rat tergal muscles. Results showed that the monofilament suture lost its tensile strength gradually accompanied by decrease of MW.…”

Effect of high porosity on biodegradation of poly (4-hydroxybutyrate)in vivo

“…13–15 P(4HB) has been studied as a bio-absorbable material for use in many medical applications, 14 such as tri-leaflet heart valves, peripheral vascular applications, and biodegradable suture material. 4,14,16 The degradation product of P(4HB), 4HB is a natural metabolite of the human body and exists in multiple organs in vivo. 14 The degradation rate of P(4HB) scaffolds can be slowed by changing the porosity and specific surface properties of the material, providing sufficient time for new tissue to substitute for the scaffold material without affecting the mechanical behaviour of the tissue.…”

Synthesis, characterizations, and biocompatibility of block poly(ester‐urethane)s based on biodegradable poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) (P3/4HB) and poly(ε‐caprolactone)

“…Addition to the commodity polymer applications of P3/ 4HB, much of our interesting is focused on the biomedical applications of P3/4HB or PHA. [5][6][7] Even though the biomedical applications of PHA have been investigated for many years and much attention was paid, 8,9 the overall results seemed not satisfied for practical applications. The possible reasons besides the drawback mentioned above, the lack of good enough biocompatibility of neat PHA is another factor.…”