Electrospun membranes and hydrogels are widely used to prevent tendon adhesion. Hydrophobic anti-inflammatory drugs could be fully loaded on the electrospinning membrane through the electrospinning process, which can better prevent tendon adhesion. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) could promote tendon healing. However, the bioactivity of free bFGF is easily inactivated, therefore, a suitable carrier is needed. As a carrier, hydrogel has little effect on the bioactivity of the protein drugs. In this work, a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) electrospun membrane loaded with ibuprofen (IBU) was prepared and named EMI. Additionally, Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-valine) (PEG-PLV) was synthesized. bFGF was added to the PEG-PLV solution, a hydrogel containing bFGF (PLVB) was obtained after gelling. PLVB was applied to the surface of EMI, a double-layer composite membrane named EMI-PLVB was obtained. This membrane was used to prevent Achilles tendon adhesion and promote healing. IBU and bFGF in EMI-PLVB were continuously released in vitro. The inflammatory factors at the tendon healing site were significantly reduced, and the production of type I collagen (Col- I) and type III Collagen (Col-III) at the tendon healing site was also increased in vivo. In conclusion, this double-layer composite membrane drug release system can effectively prevent tendon adhesion and promote tendon healing.
Keywords: Hydrogel; IBU; Tendon adhesion; Tendon healing; bFGF.
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