Artificial Tendons' Responsiveness to Mechanical Stress and Biological Performance Following Cork Extract...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Polymer Science
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Hand tendon ruptures are increasing due to mechanical stress, degeneration, trauma, and repetitive motion.
• Current treatments for hand tendon injuries have limitations.
• There is a need for advanced biomaterials for tendon repair and substitution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer and characterize an artificial tendon using polymeric braids functionalized with natural cork extract.
• To evaluate the mechanical properties, bioactivity, and biocompatibility of the functionalized braids.
• To assess the potential of this novel material for hand tendon repair applications.

Main Methods:

• Polymeric braids (lyocell, biodegradable polyester, polyethylene terephthalate) were fabricated with a core-shell structure.
• Cork extract was obtained and characterized for its phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.
• Braids were functionalized with cork extract via physical adsorption.
• Mechanical properties (elongation at break, tensile strength) were evaluated.
• Functionalized braids were analyzed for extract loading, presence of extract, controlled release, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial efficacy, and cytotoxicity.

Main Results:

• The polymeric braids exhibited mechanical properties suitable for hand tendon repair.
• Cork extract demonstrated significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
• Functionalized braids showed sustained release of cork extract, maintaining bioactivity.
• Lyocell-based braids demonstrated the best overall performance, with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial effects and low cytotoxicity.
• The functionalized braids showed promising results for hand tendon repair.

Conclusions:

• The proposed artificial tendon, engineered from functionalized polymeric braids, shows significant promise for hand tendon repair.
• The cork extract imparts beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties to the biomaterial.
• This innovative approach offers a potential solution to improve patient outcomes and quality of life for individuals with hand tendon injuries.