Controlled release of pentoxifylline from porous chitosan-pectin scaffolds

Measures to suppress inflammatory reactions are taken to prevent fibrous encapsulation of implants. It is proposed in this study that tissue engineered scaffolds that can slowly release anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce inflammatory reactions around implants. Chitosan and chitosan cross-linked with different concentrations of pectin were made into films and porous scaffolds. Results seen from Fourier-transform infrared spectra and thermal gravimetric analysis showed that polyelectrolyte complexation took place between chitosan and pectin units. As the amounts of pectin added to chitosan increased (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%) the scaffolds became more wettable (contact angle decreased from 81 degrees to 76 degrees ), less swellable (swelling ratio decreased from 35% to 30%), and less capable of releasing pentoxifylline (PTX) (release efficacies decreased from 93% to 83%). Higher degrees of pectin cross-linking made the scaffolds more resistant to compression (Young's modulus increased from 2.4 kPa to 3.7 kPa) and more favorable for initial cell attachment (percentage of attached cells increased from 55% to 67%). In vitro tests showed that, with the reduction of PTX release rates, PTX became more effective in inhibiting TNF-alpha and IL-6 production from activated macrophages. This investigation has demonstrated that the changes in the basic drug release properties of chitosan scaffolds were proportional to the amount of pectin added. The changes could help improve the effectiveness of PTX.