Fabrication and characterization of pectin-based three-dimensional porous scaffolds suitable for treatment of peritoneal adhesions

Formation of peritoneal adhesions is common complication after abdominal and pelvic surgery. They bear a significant health problem with an influence to quality of life and health care expenses. Promising approach for their prevention is using of biodegradable barrier films for physical separation of peritoneal surfaces. In the present study, highly porous pectin-based three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds were obtained by freeze-drying technique. Physico-chemical properties of the formed materials, including their morphology, porosity, density, and stability, have been studied. The evaluation of their biocompatibility, biodegradation, and potential antiadhesion effect was studied by in vivo experiment. To reinforce the scaffolds structure and improve their stability in physiological solutions, pectin chains were cross-linked with divalent cations. We determined optimal cross-linking conditions, which allow obtaining scaffolds with desired biodegradation rate. These cross-linked scaffolds fully dissolved within 8 days in the peritoneal cavity with low presence of complications and some antiadhesive effect. It has also been determined that mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue could effectively adhere to the scaffolds with preservation of their viability. Our results show that obtained materials can be suggested as mechanical scaffold for delivery of the stem cells culture to peritoneal surfaces as a part of complex antiadhesive barrier system.