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Conductive multichannel PCL/gelatin conduit with tunable mechanical and structural properties for peripheral nerve regeneration
Author(s) -
Mohammadi Mohammad,
Ramazani SaadatAbadi Ahmad,
Mashayekhan Shohreh,
Sanaei Reza
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.49219
Subject(s) - electrical conduit , materials science , gelatin , regeneration (biology) , biomedical engineering , ultimate tensile strength , nerve guidance conduit , peripheral nerve , conductivity , peripheral nerve injury , nanocomposite , fabrication , composite material , chemistry , mechanical engineering , anatomy , medicine , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology , engineering , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Peripheral nerve injuries remain among the most challenging medical issues despite numerous efforts to devise methods in fabrication of nerve conduits to functionally regenerate axonal defects. In this regard, the current study offers a holistic perspective in design by considering the mechanical, topographical and structural aspects which are crucial for a successful nerve guide conduit. Poly(e‐caprolactone) and gelatin were employed to serve this purpose in the form of dual‐electrospun films which were rolled and later shaped the assembly of a multichannel conduit. Polyaniline/graphene (PAG) nanocomposite was incorporated to endow the conduit with conductive properties. FTIR analysis, water contact angle measurements, and SEM observations as well as mechanical and conductivity tests were used to evaluate the properties of the conduits. In addition, MTT assay was conducted to assess the proliferation of rat bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured on the films. Incorporating 2% PAG proved to have superior cell support and proliferation, while guaranteeing electrical conductivity of 10.8 × 10 −5 S/cm and remarkable tensile strength of 3.52 ± 1.3 MPa and 14.12 ± 3.1 MPa for wet and dry conditions, respectively. Overall, the observed results highlight the great potential of the fabricated conduit to be used as a candidate for peripheral nerve defects.