Use of an acellular collagen–elastin matrix to support bladder regeneration in a porcine model of peritoneocystoplasty

Abstract

IntroductionBladder reconstruction without using the intestine remains a challenge to this day despite the development of new biomaterials and cell cultures. Human bladder engineering is merely anecdotic, and mostly in vitro and animal studies have been conducted.Material and methodsIn our study using a porcine model, we performed a bladder augmentation using an autologous parietal peritoneum graft (peritoneocystoplasty) and determined whether the attachment of an acellular collagen-elastin matrix (Group 1) or lack of (Group 2) had better histologic and functional results. Thus far, peritoneocystoplasty has rarely been performed or combined with a biomaterial.ResultsAfter 6 weeks, we observed different degrees of retraction of the new bladder wall in both groups, although the retraction was lower and the histological analysis showed more signs of regeneration (neoangiogenesis and less fibrosis) in Group 1 than when compared with Group 2. No transitional cells were found in the new bladder wall in any of the groups, and no differences were observed in the functional test results.ConclusionsPerforming a peritoneocystoplasty is an easy and safe procedure. The data supports the benefit of an acellular collagen–elastin matrix to reinforce bladder regeneration. However, in our study we observed too much retraction of the new wall and the histologic results were not acceptable to consider it an appropriate cystoplasty technique.

Biomaterials Based on Chitosan and Its Derivatives and Their Potential in Tissue Engineering and Other Biomedical Applications—A Review

“…Therefore, mixtures of polymers and the use of a cell-free tissue matrix started to be used. Silk fibroin [5][6][7], collagen [8,9], hyaluronate [10,11], or gelatin [12] were used for this purpose. The materials obtained should be biodegradable and the biodegradation products must be non-toxic and removed from the body without any effect on other tissues.…”