Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Skip to main content

    Thomas Chandy

    Trends in Biomaterials and Artificial Organs, Vol 10, No 1-2 (1996). ...
    Biomaterial associated calcification is the principal cause of the clinical failure of bioprosthetic implants. The present investigation describes the mineralization of polymeric substrate in an extracirculatory environment and the... more
    Biomaterial associated calcification is the principal cause of the clinical failure of bioprosthetic implants. The present investigation describes the mineralization of polymeric substrate in an extracirculatory environment and the possible methods of prevention. Calcification was examined on various polyurethane films (and bioprosthetic tissue) incubated in metastable solutions of calcium phosphate and the role of polymer casting and precipitation was evaluated. The formulation and the in vitro efficacy of prolonged controlled-release chitosan matrices, containing the novel anticalcification agents, such as Fe +++ or protamine sulfate (PS), were also attempted. The in vitro release profiles of PS from chitosan beads was performed in a rotating shaker (100 rpm) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and was monitored spectrophotometrically. The amount and percentage of drug release were much higher initially, which was controlled with the incorporation of egg phosphatidyl choline (EPC)....
    A new sustained-release dosage form of nitrofurantoin (NF) as microcapsules has been prepared by a mild chitosan/calcium alginate microencapsulation process. These microcapsules have been prepared by adding, dropwise, a solution of sodium... more
    A new sustained-release dosage form of nitrofurantoin (NF) as microcapsules has been prepared by a mild chitosan/calcium alginate microencapsulation process. These microcapsules have been prepared by adding, dropwise, a solution of sodium alginate containing NF into a chitosan-CaCl(2) system. About 70-80% of the drug is released into phosphate buffer, pH = 7.4 within 6 h. Drug release into the gastric medium is found to be relatively slow compared to that into the intestinal medium. From scanning electron microscopic studies, it appears that the chitosan modifies the NF-alginate microspheres. These findings suggest the possibility of modifying the formulation to obtain the controlled release of NF in an oral sustained-delivery system.
    Natural rubber with C = C bonds had been modified by reaction with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI) and 70% of the products were obtained, which yielded polyelectrolyte on treatment with NaOH, having sulfamate and carboxylate groups. The... more
    Natural rubber with C = C bonds had been modified by reaction with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI) and 70% of the products were obtained, which yielded polyelectrolyte on treatment with NaOH, having sulfamate and carboxylate groups. The polyelectrolyte showed anticoagulant activity. This might be due to the presence of both sulfamate and carboxylate groups arranged in a steric manner in the molecule as that of Heparin. Surface energy parameters, platelet adhesion and plasma recalcification time were investigated. Possible comparison with heparin had been demonstrated.
    ABSTRACT
    A technique is described to encapsulate activated charcoal for hemoperfusion to be used in an artificial liver support. Activated charcoal was encapsulated within chitosan-PEG matrix and subsequently surface modified with PGE1 or heparin... more
    A technique is described to encapsulate activated charcoal for hemoperfusion to be used in an artificial liver support. Activated charcoal was encapsulated within chitosan-PEG matrix and subsequently surface modified with PGE1 or heparin (hep-AC-PEGCB) via the glutaraldehyde functionalities. This novel matrix was used as the supports for perfusion of endotoxin, under a flow rate of 30 ml/mt. Endotoxin adsorption was quantitatively measured by the method of Limulus Amebocyte lysate test. It seems, the hep-AC-PEGCB may be a good adsorbent system for the removal of toxic endotoxin, and the system may be useful for detoxification of blood. The hep-AC-PEGCB matrix had improved biocompatibility as demonstrated from their hemolytic potential and charcoal release. However, further studies are needed to determine their behaviour under clinical conditions.
    ABSTRACT
    ABSTRACT
    Calcification is a frequent cause of the clinical failure of bioprosthetic heart valves fabricated from glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium (GATBP). An investigation was made of the grafting of different molecular weight... more
    Calcification is a frequent cause of the clinical failure of bioprosthetic heart valves fabricated from glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium (GATBP). An investigation was made of the grafting of different molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG 600, 1500, 4000 and 6000) via glutaraldehyde (GA) linkages to bovine pericardium (BP) and of their stability and calcification. The process of the calcification profile was studied by in vitro experiments via incubating pericardial samples in a metastable solution of calcium phosphate. Calcification of bovine pericardium grafted with PEG 6000 was significantly decreased compared to low molecular weight PEG grafts or Sodium dodecyl sulphate- (SDS) and GA-treated tissues. The mechanical properties of these modified tissues after enzyme (Trypsin) digestion and calcification were investigated. The biocompatibility aspects of grafted tissues were also established by monitoring the platelet adhesion, octane contact angle and water of hydr...
    Cardiovascular calcification, the formation of calcium phosphate deposits in cardiovascular tissue, is a common end stage phenomenon affecting a wide variety of bioprosthesis. This study proposes a novel approach of reducing pericardial... more
    Cardiovascular calcification, the formation of calcium phosphate deposits in cardiovascular tissue, is a common end stage phenomenon affecting a wide variety of bioprosthesis. This study proposes a novel approach of reducing pericardial calcification and thrombosis via coupling polyethylene glycols (PEG) to glutaraldehyde treated bovine pericardium via acetal linkages. The calcification of the PEG modified tissue and the control pericardium (extracted and glutaraldehyde treated) was investigated by in vivo rat subcutaneous implantation models and by in vitro meta stable calcium phosphate solutions. Scanning electron microscopy showed that calcification primarily involved the surface of collagen fibrils and the intrafibrillar spaces. However, the grafting of pericardium with PEG-20,000 had dramatically modified the surface and subsequently inhibited the deposits of calcium. Further, the modified tissue had also reduced the platelet surface attachment. Such a reduced calcification of ...
    Biomaterial associated calcification is the principal cause of the clinical failure of bioprosthetic implants. The present investigation describes the mineralization of polymeric substrate in an extracirculatory environment and the... more
    Biomaterial associated calcification is the principal cause of the clinical failure of bioprosthetic implants. The present investigation describes the mineralization of polymeric substrate in an extracirculatory environment and the possible methods of prevention. Calcification was examined on various polyurethane films (and bioprosthetic tissue) incubated in metastable solutions of calcium phosphate and the role of polymer casting and precipitation was evaluated. The formulation and the in vitro efficacy of prolonged controlled-release chitosan matrices, containing the novel anticalcification agents, such as Fe +++ or protamine sulfate (PS), were also attempted. The in vitro release profiles of PS from chitosan beads was performed in a rotating shaker (100 rpm) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and was monitored spectrophotometrically. The amount and percentage of drug release were much higher initially, which was controlled with the incorporation of egg phosphatidyl choline (EPC)....
    Activated charcoal, long known to the ancients as a substance of therapeutic value in a variety of maladies, has recently been "rediscovered" to be of great value in medical applications. Activated charcoal hemoperfusion is... more
    Activated charcoal, long known to the ancients as a substance of therapeutic value in a variety of maladies, has recently been "rediscovered" to be of great value in medical applications. Activated charcoal hemoperfusion is effective in blood purification for removal of various circulating toxic materials and waste metabolites, directly. However, particulate release and platelet adhesion prevent its continued clinical use. Polymeric coatings or microencapsulation of charcoal within polymers have improved their blood compatibility. Chitosan encapsulated activated charcoal (ACCB) beads have been extensively investigated in our group for the removal of various toxins such as urea, creatinine, uric acid, bilirubin, etc. This article highlights various methods of microencapsulation procedures of activated charcoal and the importance of this novel material for a variety of biomedical applications. Further, this review provides an insight to the future perspectives for using them...
    Platelet attachment and spreading were monitored on glass and various protein coated glass, under shear with washed platelets, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood, using fluorescence Optimas imaging system and software. Results... more
    Platelet attachment and spreading were monitored on glass and various protein coated glass, under shear with washed platelets, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood, using fluorescence Optimas imaging system and software. Results showed that the platelet adhesion and spreading were sensitive to the nature of precoated proteins and the type of medium used for introducing platelet suspension for the study. In general, the cell adhesion and spreading were higher with fibrinogen (Fg), fibronectin (Fn), von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and collagen precoated surfaces. In the presence of albumin on the surface, however, platelets could not attach and spread fully when using washed cells. But, the surface attachment and spreading of the cells were higher on albumin substrates on exposure to PRP or whole blood. This may be due to the replacement of precoated albumin by other plasma proteins, like Fg to facilitate the platelet-surface attachment. The composition of this layer determines the...
    Calcification is a frequent cause of the clinical failure of bio-prosthetic heart valves fabricated from glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium (GATBP). This article reports on various chemical techniques for grafting polyethylene... more
    Calcification is a frequent cause of the clinical failure of bio-prosthetic heart valves fabricated from glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium (GATBP). This article reports on various chemical techniques for grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) on bovine pericardium, their biostability, and calcification. The process of calcification profile was studied by in vitro experiments via the incubation of pericardial samples in a metastable solution of calcium phosphate. The calcification profile of PEG-modified bovine pericardium through glutaraldehyde linkages was significantly reduced compared to other methods of grafting. The mechanical property of these PEG-modified tissues after enzyme (collagenase) digestion and calcification were also investigated. PEG grafting of BP via glutaraldehyde or hexamethylene diisocyanate had shown better mechanical stability compared to other grafting methods used. In conclusion, it seems that the surface modification of bovine pericardium through h...
    A new sustained-release dosage form of nitrofurantoin (NF) as microcapsules has been prepared by a mild chitosan/calcium alginate microencapsulation process. These microcapsules have been prepared by adding, dropwise, a solution of sodium... more
    A new sustained-release dosage form of nitrofurantoin (NF) as microcapsules has been prepared by a mild chitosan/calcium alginate microencapsulation process. These microcapsules have been prepared by adding, dropwise, a solution of sodium alginate containing NF into a chitosan-CaCl(2) system. About 70-80% of the drug is released into phosphate buffer, pH = 7.4 within 6 h. Drug release into the gastric medium is found to be relatively slow compared to that into the intestinal medium. From scanning electron microscopic studies, it appears that the chitosan modifies the NF-alginate microspheres. These findings suggest the possibility of modifying the formulation to obtain the controlled release of NF in an oral sustained-delivery system.
    ... We are thankful for the discussions with Miss Asha Latha as well to Miss MK Sheela and Miss Geetha Kurien for their technical assistance, We also acknowledge the cooperation received from the Blood Bank group of the Institution. ...
    Micro catheter tubes were prepared from poly (carbonate urethane) (PCU, Bionate) and poly (ether urethane) (PEU, Pellethane) and their stability was investigated in vitro under applied strain. The tubes were stretched to an elongation of... more
    Micro catheter tubes were prepared from poly (carbonate urethane) (PCU, Bionate) and poly (ether urethane) (PEU, Pellethane) and their stability was investigated in vitro under applied strain. The tubes were stretched to an elongation of 200% or 300% and exposed to hydrogen peroxide/cobalt chloride (H(2)O(2)/CoCl(2)) solution for specific periods of time (up to 10 months). The samples were observed for surface degradation via scanning electron microscopy, the bulk erosion via the weight difference, and the changes in molecular weight using gel permeation chromatography. The 200% and 300% strained Pellethane tubes kept in H(2)O(2)/CoCl(2) solution for 1 month showed substantial cracking of the surface layer with pitting and have degraded completely within 45 to 60 days (from scanning electron microscopy). Bionate tubes treated in similar conditions for a 10-month period exhibited minute surface erosion in the depth of 0.25-1 microm and showed no evidence of major cracking or pitting. The gel permeation chromatography analysis of 300% strained catheters indicated that the degradation of Bionate tubes was negligible. The 10-month samples had shown approximately 18% reduction in their number average molecular weight (M(n)) and about 8% reduction in weight average molecular weight (M(w)). The Pellethane studied in similar conditions had indicated approximately 72% reduction in M(n) and about approximately 50% reduction in M(w) for 1 month. Overall, the Bionate underwent less degradation and the degradated surface layer was much thinner than Pellethane. These in vitro results are valuable in designing the in vivo studies for using Bionate tube as a long-term implant.
    For intravascular implantation, a biofunctional surface seems to retard surface thrombosis upon synthetic materials. Prostaglandins, like PGI2, PGE1, and PGD2, etc., are believed to stimulate membrane-bound adenyl cyclase and thereby... more
    For intravascular implantation, a biofunctional surface seems to retard surface thrombosis upon synthetic materials. Prostaglandins, like PGI2, PGE1, and PGD2, etc., are believed to stimulate membrane-bound adenyl cyclase and thereby raise intracellular levels of c-AMP within platelets, which inhibit platelet adhesion and aggregation. A new procedure is suggested for the immobilization of prostaglandin E1 on an albuminated polymer matrix, through glutaraldehyde coupling. Materials thus prepared show dramatic antiplatelet effects, with regard to platelet adhesion, when compared with albumin-immobilized surfaces. The affinity of various modified surfaces toward platelet adhesion is studied, using washed platelets suspended in Tyrode's solution. Octane contact angle studies are used to develop an understanding of the varied nature of bound substrates at equilibrium on polymer surfaces. These are studied at the solid/liquid interface, which is closest to in vivo conditions. The plasma recalcification time demonstrates the anticoagulant properties of various surfaces. A possible role of PGE1 in reducing platelet activity in the presence and absence of vitamin C is discussed. This technique may be used in the development of non-thrombogenic surfaces on existing biomedical polymers. Simultaneous pharmaceutical modification of the blood with vitamin C may enhance the blood compatibility of the surface.
    The in vitro calcification and enzymatic degradation of bovine pericardia (BP) after a series of surface treatments were studied as a function of exposure time. The degradation of these treated surfaces was monitored by scanning electron... more
    The in vitro calcification and enzymatic degradation of bovine pericardia (BP) after a series of surface treatments were studied as a function of exposure time. The degradation of these treated surfaces was monitored by scanning electron micrography and tensile strength measurements. Polyethylene glycol-(PEG) grafted BP and glutaraldehyde-(GA) treated BPs retained maximum stability in collagenase digestion compared with SDS-treated BP. The ability of alpha chymotrypsin, bromelain, esterase, trypsin, and collagenase to modulate the degradation of SDS-, GA-, PEG-, Carbodiimide-, and glycidylether-treated BPs also was investigated. Incubation of various enzymes to these crosslinked pericardia variably reduced the tensile strength of these tissues. It is conceivable that chemical treatments of pericardial tissues might have altered their physical and chemical configuration and the subsequent degradation properties. In vitro calcification studies showed a substantial reduction in the calcification profile of PEG-grafted bovine pericardia compared to other treated tissues. Furthermore, the biocompatibility aspects of pericardial tissues were established by platelet adhesion and octane contact angle. In conclusion, it seems that the surface modification of bovine pericardia via GA-PEG grafting may provide new ways of controlling biodegradation and calcification.
    The strength, resorption rates, and biocompatibility of collagenous biomaterials are profoundly influenced by the method of cross-linking. The in vitro and in vivo calcification and enzymatic degradation of bovine pericardia (BP) after a... more
    The strength, resorption rates, and biocompatibility of collagenous biomaterials are profoundly influenced by the method of cross-linking. The in vitro and in vivo calcification and enzymatic degradation of bovine pericardia (BP) after a series of surface modifications were studied as a function of exposure time. Collagenase degradations of modified BP were monitored by scanning electron microscopy and tensile strength measurements. Bovine pericardium was modified by a combination of different tissue fixatives such as glutaraldehyde (GA), carbodiimide (EDC), diisocyanate (HMDIC), and polyethylene glycol (PEG). GA-PEG-EDC-PEG and GA-PEG-HMDIC-PEG combination treated BP retained maximum stability in collagenase digestion compared to GATBP. In vitro calcification studies and in vivo rat subcutaneous implantations of modified pericardium have shown substantial reduction in the calcification of double cross-linked BP with PEG modification. Further, the biocompatibility aspects of pericardial tissues were established by platelet adhesion and octane contact angle. It seems that cross-links involving amino and carboxyl residues may provide new ways of controlling biodegradation and calcification.
    Calcification is a frequent cause of the clinical failure of bioprosthetic heart valves fabricated from glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium (GABP). The present investigation describes the influence of steroid hormones in the... more
    Calcification is a frequent cause of the clinical failure of bioprosthetic heart valves fabricated from glutaraldehyde pretreated bovine pericardium (GABP). The present investigation describes the influence of steroid hormones in the mineralization of GABP, in an extra-circulatory environment. Calcification was studied on GABP incubation in a metastable solution of calcium phosphate containing steroid hormones such as estrone, progesterone, 7(OH) progesterone, testosterone and beta-estradiol. It is interesting to note that certain steroids can variably increase the GABP calcification. Further, the effect of these steroids in an in vitro hydroxyapatite (HA) formation was investigated. In addition, we observed these steroids alter the calcium transport through GABP in diffusion experiments and also in HA formation. Therefore, it is conceivable that prolonged use of steroids or steroids containing oral contraceptive agents may not be advisable for patients having bioprosthetic implants in contact with blood. A better understanding of the mechanism of these drugs under in vivo conditions is needed to develop applications.
    The use of adsorbents for the treatment of patients suffering from various immune diseases is still in its infancy. Therefore, the development of selective absorbents for the removal or decrease of immunoproteins from plasma is of great... more
    The use of adsorbents for the treatment of patients suffering from various immune diseases is still in its infancy. Therefore, the development of selective absorbents for the removal or decrease of immunoproteins from plasma is of great importance. In this study, chitosan, a natural polysaccharide having structural characteristics similar to glycosamino glycans, which is non-toxic and biocompatible, has been used for protein adsorption studies. Amino acids like phenyl alanine and tryptophan in different ratios are bonded to these polymers to observe immunoadsorption. Several layers of phenyl alanine or tryptophan have been coated covalently on chitosan beads using N2-plasma, carbodiimide or glutaraldehyde treatments. Scanning electron micrographs have revealed the surface morphological changes after such modifications. The surface modified chitosan beads have exhibited high binding affinity for gamma-globulin compared to bare beads. It is also observed that the amount of fibrinogen adsorption is reduced on modified substrate. A selective removal of IgG and IgM has also been observed with these modified matrix when tested with human plasma, using immuno diffusion methods. The modified chitosan membranes have demonstrated a reduction in platelet attachment, showing that these substrates have become more blood compatible. Hence, it appears that modified chitosan surfaces may be an excellent sorbent system for haemoperfusion due to their high binding affinity for immunoproteins and blood compatibility. Further studies are needed to determine the behaviour under clinical conditions.
    Smooth muscle cell proliferation plays a major role in the genesis of restenosis after angioplasty or vascular injury. Local delivery of agents capable of modulating vascular responses, have the potential to prevent restenosis. However,... more
    Smooth muscle cell proliferation plays a major role in the genesis of restenosis after angioplasty or vascular injury. Local delivery of agents capable of modulating vascular responses, have the potential to prevent restenosis. However, the development of injectable microspheres for sustained drug delivery to the arterial wall is a major challenge. We demonstrated the possibility of entrapping an antiproliferative agent, cisplatin, in a series of surface coated biodegradable microspheres composed of poly(lactic acid)poly(caprolactone) blends, with a mean diameter of 2-10 pm. The microspheres were surface coated with poly ethylene glycol (PEG), chitosan (Chit), or alginate (Alg). A solution of cisplatin and a 50:50 blend of polylactic acid (PLA)-polycaprolactone (PCL) dissolved in acetone-dichloromethane mixture was poured into an aqueous solution of PEG (or polyvinyl alcohol or Chit or Alg) with stirring using a high speed homogenizer, for the formation of microspheres. Cisplatin recovery in microspheres ranged from 25-45% depending on the emulsification system used for the preparations. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the PLA-PCL microspheres were spherical in shape and had a smooth surface texture. The amount of drug release was much higher initially (20-30%), this was followed by a constant slow-release profile for a 30-day period of study. It has been found that drug release depends on the amount of entrapped drug, on the presence of extra cisplatin in the dispensing phase, and on the polymer coatings. This PEG or Alg-coated PLA/PCL microsphere formulation may have potential for the targeted delivery of antiproliferative agents to treat restenosis.
    Plasma glow technique has created much interest in the field of surface modification of polymers due to its versatility of generating active polar groups on the surface without affecting the bulk properties. Here an attempt is made to... more
    Plasma glow technique has created much interest in the field of surface modification of polymers due to its versatility of generating active polar groups on the surface without affecting the bulk properties. Here an attempt is made to inter-relate the surface properties and platelet adhesion on various polymeric substrates due to plasma treatments. Initially, a critical review of the process and development of thrombosis upon contact of an artificial surface with blood, has been provided, which has been extended with the need for surface modifications to improve their blood compatibility and the versatility of plasma treatments for such modifications have been emphasized. Phospholipids like phosphoryl choline, phosphatidyl choline and phosphoryl ethanolamine were attached to Angioflex surface by plasma glow. The role of such modified substrates to interact with platelets were investigated using Tyrode washed calf platelets. It seems, glow discharge modified phosphoryl choline bilayers dramatically inhibited the platelet-surface binding, which may be due to their biochemical resemblance with thromboresistant surfaces of human blood cells. Further, the behaviour of all phospholipids towards bloodpolymer interaction is not similar and may change depending on the nature of their functional groups, net charge of the phospholipid adsorbed surface and their interaction with platelets and its activation. It is possible to chemically immobilize lipid bilayers on standard polymers, using plasma glow, to improve their biological performance; by suitably selecting the phospholipid combinations.
    Calcification has limited the durability of bioprosthetic heart valves fabricated from glutaraldehyde pretreated porcine aortic valves or bovine pericardium (BP). The present study describes calcium antagonistic effect of polyethylene... more
    Calcification has limited the durability of bioprosthetic heart valves fabricated from glutaraldehyde pretreated porcine aortic valves or bovine pericardium (BP). The present study describes calcium antagonistic effect of polyethylene glycol grafted bovine pericardium (PEG-GABP) with Fe2+/Mg2+ delivery from a co-matrix system in rat subcutaneous model. Retrieved samples were biochemically evaluated for calcification and alkaline phosphate (AP) activity. Scanning electron micrographs of 21-day explants had shown excessive calcification with glutaraldehyde treated BP (control). However, the PEG grafting and Fe/Mg release had substantially inhibited the deposition of calcium on BP. The extractable alkaline phosphatase activity was also reduced with PEG grafting and metal ion release to BP. The extractable AP had shown peak activity at 72 h [for GATBP--250.5 +/- 1.2 nm pnp/mg protein/min enzyme activity (unit), PEG-GABP--165.2 +/- 16.6 units], but markedly reduced after 21 days (22.1 +/- 1.8 and 12.0 +/- 1.5 units, respectively). The initial high levels may be due to tissue injury via surgery, which mitigated with time. It is assumed that ferric ions may slow down or retard the calcification process by the inhibition of proper formation of hydroxy apatite while magnesium ions disrupt the growth of these crystals by replacing Ca2+. In addition it maybe hypothesized that these metal ions may inhibit the key element alkaline phosphatase, which acts as the substrate for mineralization. Hence, it is conceivable that a combination therapy via surface grafting of PEG and local delivery of low levels of ferric and magnesium ions may prevent the bioprosthesis associated calcification.

    And 36 more