Abstract
Although coronary stents have improved the early and long-term consequences of arterial lesions, the prevention of restenosis and late stent thrombosis is key to prevent a new obstruction of the vessel. Here we aimed at improving the tissue response to stents through surface modification. For that purpose, we used two different approaches, the use of nanostructuration by electrochemical anodization and the addition of a quercitrin (QR) coating to the Ti surface. Four surfaces (Ti, NN, TiQR and NNQR) were characterized by atomic force microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy and contact angle analysis and QR content was evaluated by fluorescent staining. Cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, metabolic activity and nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated on primary human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVECs). Platelet adhesion, hemolysis rate and Staphylococcus epidermidis CECT 4184 adhesion at 30 min were analyzed. Nanostructuration induced an increase on surface roughness, and QR coating decreased the contact angle. All surfaces were biocompatible, with no hemolysis rate and lower platelet adhesion was found in NN surfaces. Finally, S. epidermidis adhesion was lower on TiQR surfaces compared to Ti. In conclusion, our results suggest that NN structuration could improve biocompatibility of bare metal stents on endothelial cells and reduce platelet adhesion. Moreover, QR coating could reduce bacterial adhesion.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and its underlying cause is atherosclerosis; a degenerative progressive disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids and immune cell plaques that affect coronary, carotid and other peripheral arteries
An nanostructured surface (NN) surface was obtained with the anodization conditions used, as demonstrated by the scanning electron microscope (SEM)
Water contact angle (CA) measurements indicated that all surfaces were hydrophilic (CA lower than 90◦ ), the contact angle of QR coated samples (TiQR and NNQR) was lower compared to Ti and NN, respectively (QR coated versus non-coated groups; p < 0.001)
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and its underlying cause is atherosclerosis; a degenerative progressive disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids and immune cell plaques that affect coronary, carotid and other peripheral arteries. The conjunction of immune cells and inflammation with hyperlipidemia (elevated low-density lipoproteins (LDL) levels) influences the plaque rupture and the development of myocardial infarction and stroke [1,2,3]. Different materials, such as titanium, nitinol, stainless steel and CoCr alloys have been widely used as bare metal stent materials. Restenosis consists of the arterial wall healing response to the injury; and the resulting neointima is a combination of SMCs, the extracellular matrix and macrophages [5] Another less frequent but serious complication of metal stents is infections
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
