Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (42): 7843-7846.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.42.013

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Fabrication and properties of nano-biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) tubular urethral stents 

Wang Xiao-qing1, Jiang Feng-ming1, Hou Yu-chuan1, Wang Chun-xi1, Zhang Long1, Chen Qi-hui1, Zhang Hai-feng1, Gao Zhan-tuan2, Wang Yan1   

  1. 1Department of Urology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun  130021, Jilin Province, China;
    2State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun  130022, Jilin Province, China
  • Received:2011-07-13 Revised:2011-08-22 Online:2011-10-15 Published:2011-10-15
  • Contact: Wang Yan, Associate professor, Department of Urology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China 39044355@qq.com
  • About author:Wang Xiao-qing☆, Studying for doctorate, Attending physician, Department of Urology, First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China upw018@126.com
  • Supported by:

    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 50973043*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) can be used as a substitute for urethral tissues.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the feasibility of the fabrication of co-polymer PLGA 80:20 tubular urethral stents by using electrospinning technique and to evaluate the degradable properties of the stents in vitro.
METHODS: After synthesizing of PLGA (80:20), the electrospinning technique was used to fabricate the urethral graft. Crosslinking was carried out at a temperature of 4 ℃ using 1% glutaraldehyde for 24 hours. The morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscope. The tensile and anti-compression properties of the stents were tested. The stents were cut into pieces (1 cm in length) which were immersed in the urine to evaluate the degradability. The morphology, residual weight rate and molecular weight were investigated in each observation point.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The stents had the nanostructure and the morphology satisfied the demand of a degradable urethral scaffold. The porosity was about 89%, and the pore size was (32±19) µm. The tensile and anti-compression properties had improved after crosslinking by glutaraldehyde. The residual weight rate curve of the stents was close to a straight line, and degraded completely within 10 weeks. The decrease of molecular weight was apparently in the early stage, and the decreasing was slow down in the later stage. The properties of PLGA (80:20) urethral stents fabricated by electrospinning technique and crosslinked by glutaraldehyde can fully satisfy the demand of a degradable urethral graft.

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