Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (20): 5243-5256.doi: 10.12307/2026.158

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Physicochemical properties and in vitro biological effects of resveratrol-eluting stents

Li Keyun, Yang Yuqi, Fei Yingying, Huang Shuai   

  1. School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, Sichuan Province, China
  • Accepted:2025-05-06 Online:2026-07-18 Published:2025-11-27
  • Contact: Huang Shuai, PhD, Associate professor, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, Sichuan Province, China
  • About author:Li Keyun, MS, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, Sichuan Province, China

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although conventional drug-eluting stents have become the mainstream choice for interventional treatment of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, they still suffer from delayed endothelial repair, the risk of late thrombosis, and chronic inflammatory responses. Therefore, the development of novel drug-eluting stents with selective cell-modulating properties and biodegradable carriers has become an urgent research need.
OBJECTIVE: To prepare a 316L stainless steel stent loaded with a resveratrol-eluting coating and systematically investigate the coating's physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and therapeutic efficacy against atherosclerotic lesions. 
METHODS: (1) Resveratrol and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) solutions with a mass ratio of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% were prepared on 316L stainless steel sheets by evaporation deposition. Resveratrol elution coatings with mass fractions of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% were prepared. The water contact angle, blood compatibility, antioxidant properties, and effects on the growth behavior of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human aortic smooth muscle cells, and macrophages of the five coatings were characterized. The drug release kinetics and mechanical properties of the 30% resveratrol elution coating were also characterized. Macrophages were seeded on the surfaces of 316L stainless steel sheets, 316L stainless steel sheets loaded with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) coating, and 316L stainless steel sheets loaded with 30% resveratrol elution coating, respectively. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulating factor was added to establish an atherosclerosis model. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of CD206 (anti-inflammatory macrophages) and CD86 (pro-inflammatory macrophages). (2) Solutions of resveratrol and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer at 0% and 30% mass ratios, respectively, were prepared as spray solutions. Ultrasonic atomization spraying was used to prepare 0% and 30% resveratrol-eluted coatings on 316L stainless steel stents. The mechanical properties of the coatings were evaluated by balloon expansion experiments.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The water contact angles of the coated 316L stainless steel sheets were greater than those of the original 316L stainless steel sheets. The water contact angles of the stainless-steel sheets decreased with increasing resveratrol mass fraction in the coatings. Both the 316L stainless steel sheets and the coated 316L stainless steel sheets exhibited low hemolysis rates (< 5%). In vitro platelet adhesion and activation experiments demonstrated that the resveratrol-eluted coatings effectively inhibited platelet adhesion and activation, with the 30% and 40% resveratrol-eluted coatings exhibiting more significant effects. The resveratrol-eluted coatings inhibited the release of reactive oxygen species from macrophages, exerting antioxidant properties. Resveratrol-eluting coatings promoted the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and inhibited the proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle cells and macrophages. The effects were more pronounced with 30% and 40% resveratrol-eluting coatings. Therefore, the 30% resveratrol-eluting coating was selected for subsequent experiments. The resveratrol-eluting coating achieved stable, controlled drug release for at least 30 days. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that the resveratrol-eluting coating promoted the transformation of macrophages to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. (2) After balloon expansion, the resveratrol-eluting coating on the stainless-steel stent exhibited no delamination or crack propagation, demonstrating excellent mechanical properties. 

Key words: resveratrol, eluting stent, ultrasonic atomization spray, atherosclerosis, biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, antithrombosis, drug release

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