Influence of PEG on heparin release of heparin-loading PCL/PEG vascular prosthesis membranes

Abstract

Objective To investigate the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on heparin release of heparin-loaded polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol (PCL/PEG) membranes used in artificial vascular peosthesis. Methods Heparin-loaded PCL/PEG membrane samples with different PEG mass contents of 0, 0.5%, 10% and 15% were prepared by blending method and freeze-drying technology. The influence of PEG on heparin release was experimental studied in vitro. The influence of PEG on the structural characteristics of the samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrum and differential scanning calorimeter. Results The addition of PEG reduced the heparin release resistance. The results showed that the average release rate of heparin in the first day and the release amount for 34 d were improved. Both these parameters increased with the increase of PEG mass content. The X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the crystallinity of PCL membrane was slightly enhanced by the addition of heparin, but the overall effect was not significant. In addition, the addition of heparin could promote the crystalline grain growth of PEG, and a common distribution of heparin and PEG in the matrix was observed. Conclusions The heparin release control can be achieved by adjusting the PEG mass content in heparin-loading PCL/PEG membranes prepared by blending method and freeze-drying technology. The proposed samples may have anticoagulant effect, which can be expected to be used as small-diameter artificial vascular prosthesis material. Key words: Heparinization; Blending; Sustained release; Vascular membrane material