Biodegradable Polydioxanone Microspheres for Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: Proof of Principle

PurposeTo evaluate feasibility, embolization success, biodegradability, reperfusion, and biocompatibility of biodegradable microspheres (MS) made from polydioxanone (PDO) for transcatheter arterial embolization.Materials and MethodsUnilateral selective renal embolization of a segmental artery was performed in 16 New Zealand White rabbits with PDO-MS (100–150 μm and 90–315 μm). Animals were randomly assigned to different observation periods and underwent control digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and MR imaging immediately (n = 3), 1 week (n = 2), 4 weeks (n = 2), 8 weeks (n = 2), 12 weeks (n = 5), and 16 weeks (n = 2) after embolization. Kidneys were harvested for macroscopic and histologic analysis of embolization success, biodegradability, and biocompatibility.ResultsEmbolization was technically successful in 15 of 16 animals. One animal died of anesthesia-related circulatory failure. The 100–150 μm MS were injected easily through 3-F catheters; the 90–315 μm MS tended to clog with intermittent catheter obstruction. DSA and MR imaging showed successful target embolization in 13 of 15 animals. In 2 animals, the entire kidney was affected owing to catheter clogging, including a reflux of MS while flushing. Control DSA and MR imaging showed increasing vascular reperfusion with time. Macroscopic and histologic analysis revealed necrosis/infarction in areas in which embolization was achieved. MS were extensively degraded after 16 weeks, and overall inflammatory reaction was mild.ConclusionsBiodegradable PDO-MS induced effective embolization of target vessels while demonstrating good biocompatibility. MS increasingly dissolved at 16 weeks, partial reperfusion started at week 1, and complete reperfusion started at week 8, thus offering possible advantages as a temporary embolic agent.     

Poly-lactic acid and agarose gelatin play an active role in the recovery of spinal cord injury

Objective To investigate the role of poly-lactic acid and agarose gelatin in promoting the functional recovery of the injured spinal cord. Methods Poly-lactic acid ( PLA) or agarose was embedded in the space between two stumps of the hemisectioned spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry was used to show astroglia proliferation and the infiltration of RhoA-positive cells. Locomotor activity recovery was evaluated by testing the function of hindlimbs. Results Astrogli-as and RhoA labeled non-neuronal cells accumulated in the area adjacent to the implant, while the number of RhoA-positive cells was decreased dramatically in the absence of implant. Animals implanted with agarose gelatin recovered more quickly than those with PLA, concomitant with a higher survival rate of the neurons. Conclusion Both PLA and agarose gelatin benefited the recovery of spinal cord after injury by providing a scaffold for astroglia processes. Modulation of the rigidity, pore size and inner structure of PLA and agarose gelatin might make these biodegradable materials more effective in the regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS).     

胶原蛋白海绵在皮肤扩张术中的应用

目的：观察胶原蛋白海绵在皮肤扩张术中的临床应用效果。方法：选择40例（个）皮肤扩张器埋置和50例（个）皮肤扩张器取出及15例自身对照的病例组,应用胶原蛋白海绵术中贴敷于渗血创面,术后观察其吸收、止血效果。结果：术中渗血于2～10min内停止,病例组中无血肿发生,术后引流量明显减少,伤口愈合时间缩短。结论：在皮肤扩张术中胶原蛋白海绵是一种良好的生物止血材料。     

Epithelial tissue formation in matrix culture and in histophysiologic gradient culture

Summary Formation of epithelial tissues in culture so that they become facsimiles in their structure of such tissues in nature requires procedures that comply with several spatial imperatives: a) three-dimensional growth; b) histophysiologic conditions that provide, concurrently, gradients of maturation and of diffusion of metabolites; and c) growth as layers of cells without free edges. Many steps have been required in the evolution of these methods. Two systems are described here in sufficient detail to serve as a manual. Three-dimensional growth of masses of epithelial tissue is accomplished in matrix culture using Gelfoam sponge and collagen-coated cellulose sponge. Radial gradient culture, a recent development, provides conditions that comply with the requirements of histophysiologic gradients and of epithelial tissue growth in layers without interruption in their continuity.     

异种骨基质明胶(BMG)诱导成骨活性的实验研究

本文按着 Urist 方法制备了人、兔、猪和羊四种骨基质明胶(BMG),分别将其植入25只成年 SD 大鼠的胸部和股部肌肉,在手术的第2、4、6和8周后,通过光学显微镜观察各种 BMG 在肌肉内的免疫排斥反应和诱导成骨活性。结果表明:异种 BMG 具有一定的诱导成骨能力。但在 BMG 周围亦出现程度不同的排斥反应。本文认为,进一步降低 BMG 的抗原性,提高其诱导成骨活性,对于异种 BMG的临床应用将具有重要意义。     

Regional gene therapy for full-thickness articular cartilage lesions using naked DNA with a collagen matrix.

A novel gene therapy approach for treating damaged cartilage is proposed that involves placing endotoxin-free cDNA containing the gene for bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in type I collagen sponges and then transferring the naked plasmid DNA construct to the injury site. A full-thickness cartilaginous defect in rabbits implanted with plasmid containing a marker gene (beta-galactosidase) showed expressed protein as detected by immunostaining. At 1 week postimplantation, mesenchymal cells subjacent to the defect had incorporated the implanted naked plasmid DNA and, once transfected, served as local bioreactors, transiently producing the gene product. Plasmids containing the gene for BMP-2 implanted in collagen sponges in cartilage lesions stimulated hyalinelike articular cartilage repair at 12 weeks postimplantation, nearly equivalent in quality to that induced by collagen sponges with recombinant BMP-2 protein. Our approach circumvents the risks of inflammation and immunogenic response associated with the use of viral vectors. Naked plasmid DNA as a vehicle for transferring therapeutic genes has been shown to be effective in a therapeutic model within rabbit articular cartilage and appears to be safe and cost effective.     

生物活性复合人工骨的制备与理化性能研究

目的探讨硫酸钙/骨基质明胶生物活性复合人工骨的制备方法及其理化性能。方法分别制备硫酸钙、骨基质明胶颗粒,按1：1、2：1、3：1、1：0不同质量比例制备复合人工骨。经扫描电镜观察、生物力学测试及体外降解试验,研究不同配比复合人工骨的结构特征、力学强度及降解速率。结果硫酸钙与骨基质明胶呈均匀混合分布,材料内见较多孔径为100～500μm的微孔结构,孔隙间相互交通,随着骨粒含量的增加,孔径逐渐增大。质量比为1：1、2：1、3：1、1：0的复合人工骨的抗压强度分别为(3．53±0．62)、(6．74±0．78)、(13．60±1．01)、(39．85±2．33)MPa,100%体外降解时间分别为8、10、12、12周。结论硫酸钙/骨基质明胶复合人工骨具有利于新骨长入的微孔结构,随着骨粒含量的增高,材料的力学强度逐渐减低,降解时间加快,不同配比的复合材料可适用于不同的植骨需要。     

新型神经支架材料的构建及其与骨髓基质干细胞复合的实验研究

[目的]研制出一种可用于修复周围神经缺损的组织工程支架材料,并观察体外培养的骨髓基质干细胞在支架材料中的生长情况。[方法]以I型胶原蛋白和明胶通过冷冻干燥技术制备胶原蛋白支架材料。扫描电镜观察内部结构的排列规律及走行,测量其孔径大小、孔隙率等指标。将骨髓基质干细胞复合到胶原蛋白支架材料中共培养5 d后,扫描电镜下观察其在材料内部的生长情况。[结果]构建的材料均为圆柱状,内部为孔径均匀且平行排列的微管结构,体外培养的骨髓基质干细胞成功种植在支架材料上,在材料内部生长良好。[结论]构建的支架材料具有良好的三维空间构形和生物相容性,为神经损伤的修复提供了一种新型的支架材料。     

Improvement in Wound Healing by Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Ointment. I. Effect of Nafamostat,Gabexate, or Gelatin on Stabilization and Efficacy of EGF

The healing effect of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) on open wounds was studied in rats. No improvement in wound healing was found by topical application of EGF alone to open wound sites. We found an ointment containing EGF and a protease inhibitor, nafamostat mesilate or gabexate mesilate, or gelatin accelerated the healing rate of open wounds. Significant increases in the dry weight of the wound site granulation tissue, uronic acid (as an index of acid mucopolysaccharide) and hydroxyproline (as an index of collagen) were observed by treatment with EGF ointment containing nafamostat compared with the controls. The effects of the protease inhibitor on wound healing were dose dependent. Nafamostat was more efficient than gabexate or gelatin on wound healing. The degradation of ¹²⁵I-EGF in wound tissue homogenate was significantly decreased in the presence of a protease inhibitor, such as nafamostat or gabexate, or gelatin. These findings indicate that the stabilization of EGF at the wound site is an important factor in permitting the expression of its healing effects and suggest that the ointment containing EGF and a stabilizing agent would be a suitable dosage form for acceleration of wound repair.     

Medullary sponge kidneys and unilateral Wilms tumour in a child with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

The occurrence of a Wilms tumour in a 4-year-old girl with bilateral medullary sponge kidney, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and congenital hemihypertrophy demonstrates the close relationship between these disorders. Another six cases from the literature with congenital hemihypertrophy and with medullary sponge kidney are discussed, two of them also developed intra-abdominal neoplasm.