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Published on: May 10, 2013
Oxidative Degradation of Polypropylene Mesh in E. coli Environment
Prabhath L Gamage1, Yixin Ren1, Coreen M Slape2
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, United States.
Abstract:
Medical implants of polypropylene (PP) are commonly used in many surgical procedures to support tissues. Previous studies on polypropylene meshes removed from patients demonstrated biodegradation relative to the amount of time after implantation. Among the many possible factors, bacterial colonization is believed to be one of the causes for the biodegradation of PP. To gain insights on this hypothesis, PP mesh samples were tested in Luria-Bertani broth (LB) media containing Escherichia coli (E. coli) to observe possible degradation in a controlled single-organism environment. Mesh samples were immersed in either an LB media with E. coli or a control solution, and the biodegradation was measured at 1-, 2-, and 3-month intervals. The samples were then harvested from both LB media with E. coli and the control media for analysis, and results were then compared with pristine polypropylene mesh. The experimental results demonstrate qualitative and quantitative bioerosion, increased oxygen content, and enhanced hydrophilicity over the surface of the mesh structure, thus confirming the oxidative degradation in vitro.
Insights
Polypropylene (PP) mesh implants may degrade due to bacterial colonization. This study confirmed oxidative degradation of PP mesh in vitro when exposed to Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Polypropylene (PP) meshes are widely used in surgical procedures for tissue support.
- Previous research indicates that explanted PP meshes show signs of biodegradation over time.
- Bacterial colonization is hypothesized as a contributing factor to PP mesh biodegradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that bacterial colonization causes polypropylene mesh biodegradation.
- To observe and quantify the degradation of PP mesh in a controlled environment with Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Main Methods:
- Polypropylene mesh samples were incubated in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth with E. coli.
- Control samples were incubated in LB broth without E. coli.
- Biodegradation was assessed at 1, 2, and 3-month intervals by comparing treated and control samples to pristine PP mesh.
Main Results:
- Qualitative and quantitative evidence of bioerosion was observed in PP mesh samples exposed to E. coli.
- Increased oxygen content was detected on the surface of the degraded PP mesh.
- Enhanced surface hydrophilicity was measured on the PP mesh samples after incubation with E. coli.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms oxidative degradation of polypropylene mesh in vitro.
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) exposure leads to measurable biodegradation of PP mesh.
- Findings support the role of bacterial colonization in the degradation of medical-grade polypropylene implants.
