Radiopaque Polycaprolactone/Barium Sulfate Nanofibers for Applications in Soft Tissue Repair
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose The goal is to repair soft tissue defects (such as those in the stomach or bladder) using flexible fibrous materials that adapt to the shape of the affected area. These materials would also include a marker to track tissue regeneration and the gradual breakdown of the patch. By incorporating a radiopaque marker, like barium sulfate (BaSO₄), into polymer fibers (e.g., PCL), the processes of resorption and tissue regrowth can be effectively monitored using X-ray imaging. Methods In this work fibrous patch of electrospun polymer fibers based on polycaprolactone (PCL) with submicron barium sulfate (BaSO₄) was prepared. Their physicochemical (wettability, surface free energy), mechanical (uniaxial tensile test), microstructural (fiber and particle size distribution) and biological (viability and cytotoxicity in contact with BJ fibroblasts for 3 and 7 days) properties were investigated. The relative durability of the implant in vitro and the safety of degradation products were demonstrated. Results Barium sulfate particles (ranging from 0.03–1.3 µm for non-ground samples, 0.8–90 µm for ground samples) were successfully encapsulated within polycaprolactone fibers (~900 nm). The incorporation of barium sulfate increased fiber thickness and altered the diameter distribution from bimodal to unimodal. All resulting materials exhibited hydrophobic properties. Surface free energy was predominantly dispersive, with a polar-to-dispersive (P/D) ratio of approximately 1:10. Submicron particles in fibers volume reduced ~50% the maximum tensile force and tensile strength. Implant are biocompatibility and supported cell viability. Conclusions The fibrous implant base on PCL and barium sulfate can obtaining be electrospinning method and be visualized using RTG imaging in ex vivo model.
DOI: 10.37190/abb/206093
Authors: Anna Marszałek, Magda Kocyan, Tomasz Szwarc, Anna Ścisłowska-Czarnecka, Agnieszka Królicka, Marcin Gajek, Ewa Stodolak-Zych
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411144235