Studies on the effect of surface properties on the biocompatibility of polyurethane membranes

To study the effect of surface properties on the biocompatibility of biomat erials based on the same material, polyurethane membranes with different su rface properties were prepared. Myoblast culture and interleukin-1 (IL-1) g eneration in an air pouch model and in vitro monocyte culture were used to examine biocompatibility of different polyurethane membranes. Polyurethane membranes were Found to exhibit significant differences depending on their surface properties prepared by different fabrication processes. When myobla sts were cultured on polyurethane surfaces, the smooth and hydrophobic memb rane (F1), prepared by the solvent evaporation process, showed the greatest inhibition of myoblast adhesion compared with other porous and hydrophilic membranes (F2, F3 and F4), prepared by immersing the polymer solution into a precipitation bath. In contrast, IL-l generation by monocytes/macrophage s on the membrane F1 was more severe than those on the porous and hydrophil ic membranes. Based on our results, the interaction of biomaterials with va rious cells is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.