DEVELOPMENT OF A NATURAL POLYMER-BASED HYDROGEL FOR BIOENGINEERED VASCULAR GRAFTS

Abstract Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are a main cause of death globally, and their treatment implies various vascular repairs through different techniques like angioplasty, stent placement in the blocked artery, or bypass surgery. Artificial grafts would significantly reduce number non-treated patients, but middle long-term failures compromise clinical use. Methods Herein, we developed hydrogel composed gellan gum, gelatin, sodium alginate for bioengineered graft production. The were characterized by swelling, porosity, biodegradability, cytotoxic profile. Results materials easily assembled due to thermoresponsive nature had vessel-like structure resembling native vasculature. These vessels very controlled swelling degree, notably, was stable maintained its morphology. porosity 82.6 ± 4.3% exhibited biodegradation rate with maximum 24.2 3.0%. As expected, natural used showed no cytotoxicity toward HUVECs cells since they polymers described as biocompatible. Conclusions This promising potential be develop grafts.