International Journal of Nanomedicine (Mar 2022)

Simvastatin-Loaded Nanofibrous Membrane Efficiency on the Repair of Achilles Tendons

  • Weng CJ,
  • Liao CT,
  • Hsu MY,
  • Chang FP,
  • Liu SJ

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 17
pp. 1171 – 1184

Abstract

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Chun-Jui Weng,1– 3 Chieh-Tun Liao,2 Ming-Yi Hsu,2,4 Fu-Pang Chang,5 Shih-Jung Liu1,2 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bone and Joint Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 3Department of Orthopaedics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 4Department of Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; 5Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanCorrespondence: Shih-Jung Liu, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bone and Joint Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chang Gung University, 259, Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan, Tel +886-3-2118166, Fax +886-3-2118558, Email [email protected]: In this study, simvastatin-incorporated poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanofibrous mats were fabricated via electrospinning, and their efficacy in the repair of the Achilles tendon was evaluated.Methods: The morphology of spun nanofibers and the in vitro drug release kinetics were assessed, while the in vivo efficacy in tendon repair was tested using a rat model.Results: Images obtained by scanning electron microscopy revealed that spun nanofibers exhibit a porous structure with a fiber diameter of approximately 350 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated successful incorporation of pharmaceutical agents into the PLGA nanofibers. The drug-loaded nanofibrous membranes sustainably discharged high concentrations of simvastatin for > 28 days at the target site, and drug concentrations in blood were low. Tendons repaired using simvastatin-eluting nanofibers exhibited superior mechanical strength and animal activities to those repaired without nanofibers or with pure PLGA nanofibers.Discussion: Simvastatin-loaded nanofibers demonstrated effectiveness and sustainable capability for the repair of Achilles tendons. Eventually biodegradable drug-eluting nanofibrous mats may be used in humans for the treatment of tendon ruptures.Keywords: simvastatin, nanofibers, tendon repair, sustainable release

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