Prevention of tracheal inflammation and fibrosis using nitinol stent coated with doxycycline

This study was conducted to determine whether a nitinol stent coated with doxycycline prevents tracheal inflammation and fibrosis in a rabbit.

A nitinol stent coated with doxycycline was designed by us. Twelve rabbits were divided into three groups: normal, control (nondoxycycline-coated stent), and doxycycline-coated stent group. The stents were inserted into the tracheal lumen through the oral cavity. Tracheal granulation was evaluated and graded by laryngoscopy. Histological examinations evaluated the inflammatory response and fibrosis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot assessed the changes to the extracellular matrix (ECM).

Endoscopic findings showed that the nitinol stent coated with doxycycline resulted in lesser granulation tissue in the trachea than the noncoated stent. Histologic examination further revealed that the doxycycline-coated stent was associated with decreased inflammatory cells and reduced fibrosis, compared to the noncoated stent. In PCR and Western blot, the doxycycline-coated stent showed lower expression of ECM components inducing fibrosis.

A nitinol stent coated with doxycycline showed favorable effects in reducing tracheal inflammation and fibrosis in a rabbit model. Further research is required to study the beneficial effects of local application of doxycycline for prevention of tracheal stenosis.

NA. Laryngoscope, 128:1558-1563, 2018.