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Improved Cardiomyocyte Functions of Carbon Nanofiber Cardiac Patches

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2012

David A. Stout
Affiliation:
School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, U.S.A.
Emilia Raimondo
Affiliation:
School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, U.S.A.
Thomas J. Webster
Affiliation:
School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, U.S.A. Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University, RI 02912, U.S.A.
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Abstract

The objective of the present in vitro research was to determine cardiomyocyte functions on poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (50:50 (PLA:PGA); PLGA) with greater amounts of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) using an in vitro electrical stimulation system for myocardial tissue engineering applications. The addition of CNFs can increase the conductivity and strength of pure PLGA. For this reason, different PLGA: CNF ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100 wt%) were created where conductivity and cytocompatibility properties under electrical stimulation with human cardiomyocytes were determined. Results showed that PLGA:CNF materials were conductive and that conductivity increased with greater amounts of PLGA added, from 0 S.m-1 for 100:0 wt% (pure PLGA) to 6.5x10-3 S.m-1 for 0:100 wt% (pure CNFs) materials. Furthermore, results indicated that cardiomyocyte cell density increased with continuous electrical stimulation (rectangular, 2 nm, 5 V/cm, 1 Hz) after 1, 3, and 5 days as well as a slight increase in Troponin I excretion compared to non-electrically stimulated normal cardiomyocyte cell functions. This study, thus, provides an alternative conductive scaffold using nanotechnology which should be further explored for numerous cardiovascular applications.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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References

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