Beeswax-inspired superhydrophobic electrospun membranes for peritendinous anti-adhesion

Abstract

Posttraumatic peritendinous adhesion leads to limb disability. Physical barrier was widely used and thus focus was paid to fabricate the hydrophobic surfaces of electrospun membrane for anti-adhesion. However, current methods are limited and complicated. In this study, beeswax (Wax)/poly-L-lactic acid (PLA) anti-adhesion membranes were fabricated by blending electrospinning of Wax and PLA. The water contact angle was tested to investigate the hydrophobicity of the surfaces. Incorporation of Wax into PLA did not destroy the micro-pores between Wax/PLA fibers. After 7-day culture, proliferation of fibroblasts on Wax/PLA anti-adhesion membranes were significantly less than that on culture dish and PLA membranes. In rat Achilles adhesion model, least histological peritendinous adhesion formation was detected on the repaired sites in the group treated with Wax/PLA membranes than PLA membranes. Consequently, blending electrospinning of Wax into PLA is an easy method to fabricate hydrophobic surface of electrospun membrane with advanced peritendinous anti-adhesion outcome.

Keywords: Beeswax; Electrospun membrane; Hydrophobic surface; Peritendinous adhesion.