Poly（a-hydroxy octanoic acid） was first used as an additive for the preparation of electrospun ultra-fine fibers of poly（ethylene glycol）-b-poly（L-lactide） （PEG-PLLA）. Ibuprofen was loaded in the electrospun ultra-fine fibers. The results from environmental scanning electron microscopy （ESEM）, wide angle X-ray diffraction （WAXD） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） demonstrated that ibuprofen could be perfectly entrapped in the fibers electrospun from PEG-PLLA using a-hydroxy octanoic acid or PEG-b-poly（a-hydroxy octanoic acid） （PEG-PHOA） as additives. Compared with electrospun PEG-PLLA fibers which entrapped 20 wt% ibuprofen, the PEG-PLLA electrospun fibers containing PEG-PHOA exhibited integral and robust after 1 week incubated in 37℃, pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution with 10 μg/mL proteinase K. Compared with electrospun fibers without PEG-PHOA, the concentration ofproteinase K in release media had less effect on the release rate of ibuprofen. An unique release profile was found from PEG-PLLA fiber after the incorporation of PEG-PHOA. Enzyme degradation experiments demonstrated that PEG-PHOA but not a-hydroxy octanoic acid monomer was the crucial factor for integrity maintenance of the electrospun fibers, which may be due to the enzyme degradation tolerance property of the PEG-PHOA polymer additive.
Background Non-adhesive liquid embolic agents are increasingly gaining importance in the embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations （AVMs）. We investigated the use of poly （N-isopropylacrylamide） （PNIPAM） as a non-adhesive embolic agent in swine rete mirabile. Methods The PNIPAM hydrogel was mixed with iohexol and embolization was performed in swine rete mirabile in 30 animals. The microcatheter was examined after embolization. Follow-up angiography was performed for embolic efficacy after embolization. Embolized retia were examined histopatholgically, and the alterations of inside rete and surrounding tissue were observed. Results The copolymer hydrogel was used for rete embolization in 30 swine, 28 swine survived the procedure, 2 swine died, 1 swine died of cerebrum infarction and the other died of embolic agent reflux into the occipital artery. The inside wall of the microcatheter was smooth, without copolymer adhering to it. Follow-up angiography was performed in 22 swine, there was no rete recanalization in 20 swine and partial rete recanalization in 2 swine because of the trunk embolization of ascending pharyngeal arteries. Histopatholgically, the copolymer was found diffused into vessels of 100-- 150 μm in diameter. In acute group, neutrophils scattered surrounding the copolymer and endothelial integrity was observed, without endothelial denuding and necrosis. In subacute and chronic groups, the copolymer was found inside retia, a few mononuclear cells and eosinocytes scattered inside and surrounding it. The muscular layer was loosened with most muscular nuclei degraded. Conclusion Experimental rete embolization with PNIPAM, made radiopaque with iohexol, is technically feasible in swine. Because of its properties, PNIPAM has great potential as a therapeutic non-adhesive embolic agent.
