Anti-inflammatory effects of biodegradable membranes in prevention of postoperative adhesion formation
Anti-adhesion membranes from polyhydroxybutyrate / oxovalerate copolymer with molecular weight of 404 kDa were fabricated and tested. Membranes were loaded with 0.5 mg / ml dipyridamole to obtain anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesion properties. The membrane samples were prepared by electrospinning. Dipyridamole was incorporated in the fibers using the co-axial nozzle. The membranes were implanted intraperitoneally in male Wistar rats to assess their anti-inflammatory activity. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 were measured at days 14 after the implantation. The membrane samples were removed along with surrounding tissues and examined by light microscopy. The study results proved electrospinning method to be able to distribute equally the drug molecules in the scaffold and deliver them into the inner surface of the electrospun fibers. The release of dipyridamole into the surrounding tissues produces anti-inflammatory effects. The incorporation of dipyridamole in the inner surface of the fibers contributes to its subsequent release into the surrounding tissues and accelerates the membrane biodegradation rate.