Angiogenic effects of suture biomaterials - An experimental study in rats

Angiogenesis is a limiting step of inflammation and wound healing. Although laboratory tests for the evaluation of the angiogenetic effects of biomate rials are available, no investigations have been performed. In this study w e examine the angiogenetic effect of suture biomaterials in the rat mesente ric window model. Absolute controls had laparotomy only, controls had mesen teric window wounding, test groups had the insertion of either a thread of collagen, polyglactin 910, polyglycolic acid salt, silk or of a titanium cl ip. We considered the percentage area of the mesenteric window covered by n eovessels. After 7 days, negligible angiogenesis was found in absolute cont rols, significant angiogenesis in controls, collagen, polyglactin 910 and p olyglycolic acid salt treated rats, without differences between treatments. A significant increase of angiogenesis in comparison to the control group was found in rats treated with silk and titanium. Ultramicroscopy of the ne ovessels showed specific changes of their architecture in titanium-treated rats. In conclusion, angiogenesis during wound healing is differently influ enced by the suture material used, Silk and titanium stimulated angiogenesi s in a different way. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.