Inhibition of calcification of bovine pericardium after treatment with biopolymers, E-beam irradiation and in vitro endothelization

This work has investigated the in vitro calcification of bovine pericardium (BP) treated with chitosan (C), silk fibroin (SF) and electron beam irradiation after its endothelization in vitro. For this purpose, freeze-dried BP membranes treated with mixtures of C and SF (1:3, 1:1 and 3:1) and then irradiated by electron beam irradiation were seeded with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro. After 3 weeks of cultivation these membranes were submitted to in vitro calcification tests using simulated body fluid as the calcifying agent. Control membranes were also studied (without endothelial cells exposure). The results have shown that the membrane compatibility with HUVECs in vitro prevent such biomaterial from calcifying, showing a potential application in biomaterial area, such as cardiac valves and repair patches.

► Bovine pericardium tissue treated with biopolymers followed by electron beam irradiation could be endothelized in vitro ► Calcification was inhibited after endothelization, demonstrating a new anti calcifying treatment for BP membranes ► This membranes could be used as cardiac valves and repair patches.