NOVEL ANTI-CALCIFICATION TREATMENT OF BIOLOGICAL TISSUES BY GRAFTING OF SULFONATED POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE)

Biological porcine tissue was modified by the direct coupling of sulph onated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-SO3) containing amino end groups afte r glutaraldehyde fixation. The calcification of the modified tissue [b ioprosthetic tissue (BT)-PEO-SO3] and control (BT control) was investi gated by in vivo rate subdermal, canine aorta-illiac shunt and right v entricle-pulmonary artery shunt implantation models. Less calcium depo sition of BT-PEO-SO3 than of BT control was observed in in vivo tests. Such a reduced calcification of BT-PEO-SO3 can be explained by decrea ses of residual glutaraldehyde groups, a space filling effect and, the refore, improved biostability and synergistic blood-compatible effects of PEO and SO3 groups after the covalent binding of PEG-SO3 to tissue . This simple method can be a useful anti-calcification treatment for implantable tissue valves. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited