A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Poly(L-lactide-co-ɛ-caprolactone)/gelatin-based small-diameter vascular grafts: Salutatory effect of the BVLD and EGCG-Cu to promote hemocompatibility and nitric oxide production for in situ blood vessel regeneration




AuthorsCai Guangfang; Yuan Zhengchao; Wang Xinyi; Wu Siyuan; Zhou Shasha; Lei Zheng; Li Peng; EL-Newehy Mohamed; Moydeen Abdulhameed Meera; Shafiq Muhammad; Mo Xiumei; Jiang Shichao; Gu Hongbing

PublisherElsevier BV

Publication year2024

Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal

Article number156555

Volume500

ISSN1385-8947

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.156555

Web address https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.156555


Abstract

Polymeric small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs, inner diameter, < 6 mm) with characteristics, such as thrombo-protection and adequate short-term as well as long-term patency are still in the development and exploration stage. In this study, based on the gas signaling molecule release strategy, SDVGs were prepared by electrospinning using poly(L-lactide-co-ɛ-caprolactone) (PLCL) and gelatin (Gel). Bivalirudin (BVLD) and epigallocatechin gallate-copper (EGCG-Cu) complex were loaded into SDVGs to improve hemocompatibility and nitric oxide (NO) release, respectively. Vascular grafts manifested drug release for up to 40 days in vitro; BVLD effectively inhibited thrombosis while the EGCG-Cu complex catalyzed the NO production from endogenous donors (S-nitroso glutathione (GSNO) and glutathione (GSH)), thereby conferring vascular grafts with functions similar to that of the natural vascular endothelium layer. Both in vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated that SDVGs co-loaded with BVLD and EGCG-Cu (PG-EB) could effectively inhibit thrombosis, alleviate inflammation, and suppress the proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) while promoting the proliferation of endothelial cells (ECs), and finally regenerate vascular tissues. In vivo animal experiments demonstrated that vascular grafts could promote endothelialization and vascular remodeling. In summary, our simultaneous utilization of BVLD and EGCG-Cu may offer a promising avenue for the fabrication of in situ regenerable SDVGs.



Last updated on 22/01/2026 03:21:22 PM