Electrospun resorbable drug-eluting nanofibers promote healing of allograft tendons

<div data-language="eng" data-ev-field="abstract">We developed biodegradable drug-eluting nanobers employing an electrospinning technique, and evaluated their effectiveness on the healing of allograft tendon. Poly-D-L-lactide-glycolide was used as the polymeric material for nanober, while doxycycline was selected as the drug for delivery. The in vitro and in vivo drug release proles were investigated. The biomechanical properties of allograft Achilles tendons repaired using the nanobers were tested in euthanized rabbits at 2-, 4-, and 6-week time intervals. Histological examination was performed for the evaluation of tissue reaction and tendon healing. The level of postoperative animal activity was also monitored using an animal behavior cage. The experimental results showed that the degradable nanobers as a vehicle could provide sustained release of doxycycline for over 40 days after surgery with very low systemic drug concentration. Allograft Achilles tendon reconstruction assisted with the drug-loaded nanobers was associated with better biomechanical properties at 6 weeks post-surgery. In addition, the animals exhibited a better level of activity after surgery. Use of drug-eluting nanobrous membranes could enhance healing in Achilles tendon reconstruction surgery with allograft.<br/></div> &copy; 2021, CC BY.