Nanoparticle-eluting stents for coronary intervention: formulation, characterization, and in vitro evaluation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant global health concern.
• Drug-eluting stents (DES) are crucial for percutaneous coronary intervention, reducing restenosis.
• Current DES technologies require further optimization for enhanced therapeutic delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a novel DES coated with sirolimus-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (NPs).
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties, efficacy, and safety of the NP formulation and coated stent.
• To assess the potential of the developed NP-coated DES as an improved alternative to existing treatments.

Main Methods:

• Sirolimus was encapsulated into polymeric nanoparticles (NPs).
• NP formulation characterized for physicochemical properties; in vitro studies with human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs) for viability and uptake.
• NP formulation coated onto a cobalt-chromium stent platform; characterization included morphology, residual solvents, in vitro drug release, and ex vivo arterial permeation.

Main Results:

• The NP formulation demonstrated enhanced efficacy and time-dependent uptake in HCASMCs compared to plain sirolimus.
• Characterization of NP-coated stents confirmed suitable morphology and controlled drug release.
• Ex vivo studies indicated effective NP uptake from the stent surface.

Conclusions:

• The developed sirolimus-loaded NP formulation shows significant potential for enhancing DES performance.
• NP-coated DES offers a promising strategy to improve treatment outcomes for CAD by reducing restenosis.
• This novel NP-coated stent represents a potential advancement over current DES technologies.