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).     

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。     

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.     

阿霉素磁性明胶微球的研究

报告了阿霉素磁性明胶微球（Ａｄｒ－ＭＧ－ｍｓ）的制备与性质，研究了超细氧化铁粒子的合成和磁性明胶微球（ＭＧ－ｍｓ）在狗体内的栓塞效果。阿霉素磁性明胶微球由２％阿霉素（Ａｄｒ）、６８％明胶和３０％的磁铁粒子组成，微球的平均粒径为２２μｍ。在体外实验中，药物释放速度证明微球有缓释的性质。磁铁粒子的平均粒径约为１０ｎｍ，磁性明胶微球与￣（９９ｍ）Ｔｃ标记磁性明胶微球通过导管分别输入狗的肝动脉内进行栓塞，照相和血管造影显示在未加外磁场时磁性明胶微球在左右肝叶分布几乎相等，而在１２００高斯的外磁场作用下，靶部位肝左叶的微球分布是肝右叶的２．２５倍，而甲状腺、脑、心脏的微球很微量，结果表明磁性明胶微球在外磁场作用下是一个很好的治疗肝癌的栓塞剂。     

人表皮生长因子与碱性成纤维细胞生长因子纳米缓释剂对成纤维细胞的影响

目的:制备碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)、人表皮生长因子(EGF)可降解缓释微球,考察其生物活性的保存情况,以及它们对成纤维细胞的作用。方法:采用改良的乳化冷凝法交联制备复合bFGF、EGF的明胶缓释微球,将它们加入成纤维细胞的培养液中,用细胞计数法、四甲基偶氮唑盐微量反应比色法(MTT法)测定细胞增殖情况。结果:复合bFGF、EGF的缓释微球平均粒径(11.32±3.64)μm;培养1天后各组细胞计数、吸光度(A)值差异均无显著性;5天后,两种生长因子缓释微球组细胞计数、吸光度(A)值明显高于对照组;7天后,两种生长因子缓释微球组值仍高于其它组,但差异无显著性。结论:复合bFGF、EGF的缓释微球制备工艺简便,成球性好;能较长时间地持续释放活性bFGF、EGF,可促进成纤维细胞的增殖。     

Transcatheter arterial embolization of abnormal neovessels in a swine model of knee arthritis

BackgroundIn recent years, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) has attracted attention as a treatment for relieving osteoarthritis (OA) pain. However, IPM/CS is not approved by Japanese medical insurance for use as an embolic material. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new embolic materials for TAE to relieve OA pain. The purpose of this study was to develop a swine model of knee arthritis and embolize abnormal neovessels (ANs) using two different embolic materials. We compared the embolic effects and tissue damage in knees.MethodsKnee arthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of papain into 12 knees in six female swine. The swine were divided into two groups of three swine each (six knees per group) for embolization of ANs in the knees with either IPM/CS or soluble gelatin sponge particles (SGSs). Three days after embolization, we compared the embolic effects using angiography and the tissue damage histopathologically.ResultsANs were observed in all 12 knees at 42 days after papain injection. The ANs disappeared and the patent arteries were recanalized 3 days after TAE in all 12 knees. Histopathological evaluation revealed synovitis changes, such as synovial thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration, in all 12 knees. There was no evidence of skin or muscle necrosis in either group. The appearance of ANs, recanalization of the parent arteries, and histopathological outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionSGSs were as safe as IPM/CS for TAE of ANs in this swine model of knee arthritis.     

同种与异种骨基质明胶修复颅骨缺损的实验研究

以家兔颅顶骨直径１０ｍｍ园形骨缺损作为动物模型，分别植入同种（兔）、异种（人、猪、羊）的骨基质明胶。植入后４、８、１２、１６ｗ进行ｘ线摄片和组织学检查。结果显示，同种骨基质明胶无免疫排斥反应，具有良好的骨诱导作用，术后１２ｗ骨缺损完全修复；异种骨基质明胶植入早期，存在着不同程度的排斥反应，植骨后期（１２～１６ｗ），随着排斥反应的减轻，亦出现了诱导成骨。结果说明，如能改进异种骨基质明胶的制作方法，降低其抗原性，将具有重要的临床应用价值。