To prevent scar formation within blood vessels, a team from Northwestern University has created a biodegradable material with built-in vitamin A. The soft elastic material can be used to treat injured vessels or make medical devices, such as stents and prosthetic vascular grafts.
The research builds on the earlier work of Northwestern Engineering's Guillermo Ameer. Ameer had previously integrated vitamin C into the structure of a material used to grow tissues, improving the function of vascular grafts. The university researchers had also demonstrated that locally applied vitamin A can significantly inhibit scarring in blood vessels.
The antioxidant component of the advanced material reduces the oxidative stress that leads to chronic inflammation. The vitamin A, which is released as the material degrades, prevents or reduces scarring.
While the previous material could be used in open-heart surgery, the new version has applications in all endovascular procedures. The technology can additionally be employed outside of the body, such as for wound-healing bandages for diabetic patients.
