Radiopaque Hemocompatible Ruminant-Sourced Gut Material with Antimicrobial Physiognomies for Biomedical Applications...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Sutures
• Antimicrobial Materials

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risk of wound infections.
• Standard gut sutures lack antimicrobial properties and radiopacity, hindering infection monitoring.
• Novel materials are needed to improve surgical outcomes in diabetic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a radiopaque and antimicrobial gut material for suture applications.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the modified gut sutures.
• To assess the efficacy of the sutures in preventing infection in a diabetic wound model.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of gut material via Schiff base cross-linking and iodination.
• Spectroscopic studies for material characterization.
• In vitro antimicrobial testing and hemocompatibility assays.
• Evaluation of tensile strength, knot strength, and radiopacity.
• In vivo testing in a diabetic wound infection model.

Main Results:

• Modified gut sutures exhibited favorable tensile strength (440 ± 20 MPa) and knot strength (270 ± 20).
• Mean radiopacity was 139.0 ± 10, comparable to bone.
• In vitro studies confirmed antimicrobial properties due to released iodine.
• In vivo diabetic models showed no clinical signs of infection, confirmed by cultures and histology.
• Hemocompatibility studies indicated no adverse effects on platelets or hemolysis.

Conclusions:

• The developed radiopaque and antimicrobial gut sutures meet US Pharmacopeia guidelines.
• The material demonstrates significant potential for reducing wound infections, especially in diabetic patients.
• Further research is warranted to establish evidence-based clinical applicability.