Antiplatelet Co-drug Delivery System Surface Coating for Improved Hemocompatibility on a Nitric Oxide-Releasing...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Medical Device Engineering

Background:

• Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polymer used in biomedical applications but has poor hemocompatibility due to its hydrophobic surface.
• Hydrophobicity leads to protein adsorption, platelet activation, bacterial adhesion, and thrombosis, limiting PCL's use in blood-contacting devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional co-drug delivery coating to enhance the hemocompatibility of native PCL.
• To create an improved surface for blood-contacting medical devices.

Main Methods:

• Incorporated a nitric oxide (NO) donor (SNAP) into the PCL substrate for sustained biological activity.
• Applied a hydrophilic polyurethane coating loaded with ticagrelor (TIC) for antibiofouling and controlled drug elution.
• Evaluated the coating's performance under plasma protein and whole-blood exposure, assessing antifoulant and thromboresistant properties.

Main Results:

• The multifunctional coating significantly reduced protein adsorption, platelet adhesion/activation, and bacterial attachment compared to single-component surfaces.
• Demonstrated complementary effects between the NO donor and ticagrelor, enhancing overall hemocompatibility.
• Showcased the system's effectiveness in reducing fouling and improving blood compatibility.

Conclusions:

• This integrated coating platform offers a scalable approach to engineer biodegradable polymers for enhanced hemocompatibility.
• The developed coating is suitable for advanced blood-contacting medical devices like catheters and vascular interfaces.
• The multifunctional coating strategy effectively addresses the limitations of native PCL in biomedical applications.