Evaluation of PHBHHx and PHBV/PLA fibers used as medical sutures

Abstract

Two types of fibers were prepared by using bio-based materials: a mono-filament made from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) and a multi-filament made from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and polylactic acid (PLA) blend. The two fibers were evaluated for mechanical properties, biocompatibility and degradability for the potential application as medical sutures. The PHBHHx fiber showed remarkable biocompatibility by H.E. Stainning, with very little impact to the surrounding tissues. The degradation of the fiber was observed by SEM after implantation for 36 weeks, and the major degradation product was detected after 96 weeks. Consistently, the PHBHHx fiber maintained more than half of the mechanical properties after 96 weeks. The other fiber was prepared by twisting PHBV/PLA blend strands to a bunch, and showed high biocompatibility and relatively high degradability. The bunched structure loosed after 36 weeks of implantation. These low-cost and easily prepared fibers have great potential in medical applications, since they could avoid the formation of fibrous capsule, reduce the size of scar, and degrade into non-toxic and even beneficial products.

Plasticizing effect of biobased epoxidized fatty acid esters on mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid)

“…To overcome this, several environmentally friendly approaches have been proposed. One of this approaches is blending PLA with other polymers such as poly(hydroxy butyrate), PHB [11,2,12,13], poly(caprolactone), PCL [14], acetylated thermoplastic starch [15], etc. which can lead to tailored properties in terms of mechanical response, biodegradation rate, etc.…”

Duraplasty of PHBV/PLA/Col membranes promotes axonal regeneration by inhibiting NLRP3 complex and M1 macrophage polarization in rats with spinal cord injury

“…15 PHBV/Col nanofibers are promising substrates as bioengineered grafts for nerve tissue regeneration. 16,17 We previously described the inhibition of astrocyte activation by PHBV/PLA/Col membranes and revealed that the PHBV/PLA/Col-based scaffolds may be suitable for indirect transplantation after SCI. 18 Adjustment of experimental parameters and synthesis strategy allowed the optimization of the nanofiber morphology and mechanical properties.…”

PLA/PGA and its co-Polymers in Alveolar Bone Regeneration. A Systematic Review

“…PLA is a biodegradable polymer obtained from lactic acid, which has osteoconductive properties and has been used in various presentations. Although its applications were originally mainly in orthopedics (Athanasiou et al, 1998), for a long time it has been used in the craniofacial area for bone regeneration, as filling material in post-extraction alveolar preservation (Madan et al, 2014), as resorbable membrane in the treatment of periodontal bone lesions and guided bone regeneration (Kini et al, 2016;Rowe et al, 2016), as resorbable internal fixation to secure bone block grafts (Mazzonetto et al, 2010), as resorbable sutures (He et al, 2014) and as a carrier for growth factors and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) (Ma et al, 2016), among others.…”