Abstract
Background: Atherosclerosis is a common type of coronary artery disease caused by occlusion of coronary arteries. Plaque narrows and hardens the arteries. Stent implantation is considered to be the most successful treatment for atherosclerosis. Hyperplasia and bacterial adhesion are complications found among stent implanted patients.
Methods: The present research investigates solving the dual problems of restenosis and bacterial adhesion using a rapamycinheparin mixture impregnated with cyclodextrin as a carrier. Drug discharge analysis using HPLC, the bacterial adhesion ability of organisms, and the inhibitory effect of drug-coated stents were evaluated. The uniform coating of drugs on the stents can be observed under scanning electron microscopy.
Results: The discharge of drugs from a coated stent surface was analysed for a maximum of 144h. Polymer degradation occurred and the mean concentration release remained almost constant from 72h to 144h, indicating the sustained release of drugs from the coated stents. Strong bacterial adhesion-producing organisms, Staphylococcus aureus (0.28) and Escherichia coli (0.27), showed a 29.4 +/- 1.7mm and 23.2 +/- 0.8mm zone of inhibition.
Conclusion: The dual role of stents in preventing bacterial adhesion-associated infection and restenosis was achieved. Thus, a rapamycin-heparin coated drug with a cyclodextrin carrier can be considered as a novel product in the biomedical industry, with respect to its constant drug releasing ability.