The Local Damage and Systemic Inflammation Induced by a Biodegradable Polydioxanone Stent Implanted in the Rabbit...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Respiratory Medicine
• Inflammation Research

Background:

• Metallic and removable tracheal stents have limitations in treating benign airway diseases.
• Biodegradable tracheal stents offer a potential alternative to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the local and systemic inflammatory response to a biodegradable polydioxanone tracheal stent in a rabbit model.
• To assess the impact of stent degradation on airway inflammation and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-one rabbits received polydioxanone tracheal stents or underwent sham procedures, with follow-up at 30, 60, and 90 days.
• Clinical status, respiratory symptoms, and serial peripheral blood interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were monitored.
• Tracheoscopy, IL-8 quantification in tracheal lavage, and necropsy were performed post-procedure.

Main Results:

• Tracheoscopic findings showed significantly reduced congestion, inflammation, and secretions after stent degradation (p < 0.05).
• Mean IL-8 expression in tracheal lavage decreased dramatically post-degradation (p = 0.003).
• Peripheral blood IL-8 levels showed a transient increase on day 1, followed by a decrease.

Conclusions:

• Biodegradable polydioxanone tracheal stents induce a transient inflammatory response that significantly decreases after stent degradation.
• These findings suggest that biodegradable tracheal stents are a safe and effective option for benign airway disease, with reduced long-term inflammatory effects.