In this study, we examined whether porcine articular cartilage (PAC) is a suitable and effective anti-adhesive material. Adhesion formation post-surgery typically occur in more than 90% of patients following major abdominal surgery.
While several natural biomaterials including carboxymethyl cellulose or hyaluronic acid have been used as anti-adhesive material, there exist challenges such as low mechanical property and anti-adhesion efficiency. To overcome these challenges, we develop a PAC, which absent non-collagenous tissue components. The porcine articular cartilage film(PACF) to use as an anti-adhesive barrier was dissolved in deionized water and poured into the homemade silicone molds, then easily shaped various sizes of PACF. The PACF was cross-linked with glutaraldehyde to evaluate the validity of the PACF for anti-adhesive barrier. The cross-linked porcine articular cartilage film (Cx-PACF) showed more stable physical properties over extended periods than uncross-linked porcine articular cartilage film (UnCx-PACF). To control the mechanical properties, Cx-PACF was heat treated at 45°C or 65°C followed by incubation at room temperature. After the heat treatment, we observed several changed physical properties. Cx-PACF showed changed enthalpy value, ultimate tensile strength values, and contact angles exhibited the highest value after heat treatment and after incubation at room temperature. And then, using the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), in vitro test was conducted to evaluate the anti-adhesive properties. HUVECs were cultured on well plate, Cx-PACF and heat treated Cx-PACF. As a result, scanning electron microscopy, PKH67-labeled HUVECs fluorescence image showed that well plate have much cell attachment and proliferation, but Cx-PACF and heat treated Cx-PACF have little and/or no cell attachment and proliferation. And also, MTT assays exhibited same results such as SEM image and fluorescence image as quantitatively. In conclusion, we successfully developed a Cx-PACF, and we can control the mechanical properties, also we find the possibility of PACF as an anti-adhesive barrier.
