Amino acid-based Poly(ester urea) copolymer films for hernia-repair applications

摘要

The use of degradable materials is required to address current performance and functionality shortcomings from biologically-derived tissues and non-resorbable synthetic materials used for hernia mesh repair applications. Herein a series of degradablel-valine-co-l-phenylalanine poly(ester urea) (PEU) copolymers were investigated for soft-tissue repair. Poly[(1-VAL-8)0.7-co-(1-PHE-6)0.3] showed the highest uniaxial mechanical properties (332.5?±?3.5?MPa). Additionally,l-valine-co-l-phenylalanine poly(ester urea)s were blade coated on small intestine submucosa extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM) and found to enhance the burst test mechanical properties of SIS-ECM in composite films (force at break between 102.6?±?6.5–151.4?±?11.3?N). Free standing films ofl-valine-co-l-phenylalanine PEUs were found to have superior extension at break when compared to SIS-ECM (averages between 1.2 and 1.9?cm and 1.2?cm respectively). Fibroblast (L-929) spreading, proliferation, and improved attachment over control were observed without toxicity in vitro, while a reduced inflammatory response at both 7 and 14 days post-implant was observed for poly[(1-VAL-8)?0.7-co-(1-PHE-6)?0.3] when compared to polypropylene in an in vivo rat hernia model. These results support the use of PEU copolymers as free-standing films or as composite materials in soft-tissue applications for hernia-repair.