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Home / Equine Research Bank / Molecules / Long-Term Evaluation of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Implants in ...
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)2021; 26(23); 7224; doi: 10.3390/molecules26237224

Long-Term Evaluation of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Implants in a Horse: An Experimental Pilot Study.

Abstract: In horses, there is an increasing interest in developing long-lasting drug formulations, with biopolymers as viable carrier alternatives in addition to their use as scaffolds, suture threads, screws, pins, and plates for orthopedic surgeries. This communication focuses on the prolonged biocompatibility and biodegradation of PLA, prepared by hot pressing at 180 °C. Six samples were implanted subcutaneously on the lateral surface of the neck of one horse. The polymers remained implanted for 24 to 57 weeks. Physical examination, plasma fibrinogen, and the mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) were performed. After 24, 28, 34, 38, and 57 weeks, the materials were removed for histochemical analysis using hematoxylin-eosin and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There were no essential clinical changes. MNT decreased after the implantation procedure, returning to normal after 48 h. A foreign body response was observed by histopathologic evaluation up to 38 weeks. At 57 weeks, no polymer or fibrotic capsules were identified. SEM showed surface roughness suggesting a biodegradation process, with an increase in the median pore diameter. As in the histopathological evaluation, it was not possible to detect the polymer 57 weeks after implantation. PLA showed biocompatible degradation and these findings may contribute to future research in the biomedical area.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-29 PubMed ID: 34885807PubMed Central: PMC8658935DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237224Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study explores the long-term impacts of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) implants in a horse, highlighting the successful biocompatibility and biodegradation of the implants over a period of 57 weeks.

Objective and Methodology of the Research

  • The study primarily aimed to assess the prolonged biocompatibility and biodegradation of poly (lactic acid) or PLA implants in horses.
  • PLA, which is often used for orthopedic surgeries, was prepared using hot pressing at a temperature of 180°C and implanted in the neck of a horse for evaluation.
  • Six samples were implanted into one horse and were left in its body for a period ranging from 24 to 57 weeks.
  • Physical examinations, plasma fibrinogen tests, and Mechanical Nociceptive Threshold (MNT) tests were conducted to monitor the effects of the implants. After specific intervals, the implants were removed and subjected to histochemical analysis.

Findings of the Research

  • The implants did not result in any significant clinical changes in the horse. The MNT decreased immediately after the implantation but returned to normal after 48 hours.
  • A foreign body response was observed in the horse’s body during the initial 38 weeks post-implantation, indicating the body’s reaction to the implant.
  • Most remarkably, at 57 weeks, no polymer materials or fibrotic capsules were identifiable. This suggests PLA’s biodegradable nature, as it breaks down over time and is absorbed by the body.
  • The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) suggested a biodegradation process, as there were increases in the median pore diameters and surface roughness of the implants detected.

Conclusion and Implications of the Research

  • The PLA implants exhibited sustainable degradation and were biocompatible, which means they did not trigger any adverse reactions from the horse’s body.
  • Such observations can contribute significantly to future research in the field of biotech and medicine, specifically concerning long-term drug formulations and biopolymers.
  • Further studies on PLA’s biocompatibility and biodegradation can aid in improving the efficiency of biomedical products, such as sutures, orthopedic pins, and screws, among others.

Cite This Article

APA
Carvalho JRG, Conde G, Antonioli ML, Santana CH, Littiere TO, Dias PP, Chinelatto MA, Canola PA, Zara FJ, Ferraz GC. (2021). Long-Term Evaluation of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Implants in a Horse: An Experimental Pilot Study. Molecules, 26(23), 7224. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237224

Publication

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 1420-3049
NlmUniqueID: 100964009
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 26
Issue: 23
PII: 7224

Researcher Affiliations

Carvalho, Júlia Ribeiro Garcia
  • School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences-FCAV, São Paulo State University-UNESP, 14884-900 Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
Conde, Gabriel
  • School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences-FCAV, São Paulo State University-UNESP, 14884-900 Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
Antonioli, Marina Lansarini
  • School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences-FCAV, São Paulo State University-UNESP, 14884-900 Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
Santana, Clarissa Helena
  • Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais-UFMG, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Littiere, Thayssa Oliveira
  • School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences-FCAV, São Paulo State University-UNESP, 14884-900 Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
Dias, Paula Patrocínio
  • São Carlos School of Engineering-EESC, University of São Paulo-USP, 13566-590 São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
Chinelatto, Marcelo Aparecido
  • São Carlos School of Engineering-EESC, University of São Paulo-USP, 13566-590 São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
Canola, Paulo Aléscio
  • School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences-FCAV, São Paulo State University-UNESP, 14884-900 Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
Zara, Fernando José
  • School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences-FCAV, São Paulo State University-UNESP, 14884-900 Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ferraz, Guilherme Camargo
  • School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences-FCAV, São Paulo State University-UNESP, 14884-900 Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism
  • Horses / physiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Polyesters / pharmacology
  • Porosity
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Skin / ultrastructure

Grant Funding

  • 2019/16779-3 / Su00e3o Paulo Research Foundation

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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