Tissue anti-adhesion potential of biodegradable PELA electrospun membranes

The most commonly used anti-adhesion device for separation and isolation of wounded tissues after surgery is the polymeric membrane. In this study, a new anti-adhesion membrane from polylactide-polyethylene glycol tri-block copolymer (PELA) has been synthesized. The synthesized copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography and H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. PELA membrane was prepared by electrospun. The prepared copolymer membranes were more flexible than the control poly-D-L-lactic acid (PDLLA) membrane, as investigated by the measurements of glass transition temperature. Its biocompatibility and anti-adhesion capabilities were also evaluated. In vitro cell adhesions on the PELA copolymer membrane and PDLLA membrane were compared by the culture of mouse fibroblasts L929 on the surfaces. For in vivo evaluation of tissue anti-adhesion potential, the PDLLA and PELA copolymer membranes were implanted between cecum and peritoneal wall defects of rats and their tissue adhesion extents were compared. It was observed that the PELA copolymer membrane was very effective in preventing cell or tissue adhesion on the membrane surface, probably owing to the effects of hydrophilic polyethylene glycol. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.