In vitro study of a HPγ-cyclodextrin grafted PET vascular prosthesis for application as anti-infectious drug delivery system

Hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (HP gamma-CD) was grafted onto woven polyester (PET) vascular prosthesis by using citric acid (CTR) as crosslinking agent. A polyCTR-HP gamma CD polymer was physically fixed onto the PET fibers. An optimal compromise between fixation temperature and fixation time was found and a grafting rate of 6.7% was obtained. The study of the inclusion of ciprofloxacin (CFX) and HP gamma-CD was evidenced by using spectrophotometry. Sorption tests also showed that modified prosthesis could adsorb 5 times more CFX than the control. Biological tests revealed proliferation rates of human pulmonary micro-vascular endothelial cells (HPMEC) of 73 and 48% on virgin and modified prostheses respectively. We demonstrated that this was rather due to the increase of surface roughness of the fibers after their modification than to a toxic effect the polyCTR-HP gamma CD polymer coating. Prostheses samples modified with HP gamma CD and impregnated with CFX stayed up to 24 h in blood plasma. At various moments some aliquots were withdrawn from the medium and a positive antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis was observed within the 24 h period for the grafted sample, whilst that of the virgin one had disappeared within 4 h. So, cyclodextrin coating of vascular prostheses may be suitable for the controlled release of CFX, and thus should help to the prevention of post surgery complications.