In this study, expanded poly(tetrafluoro ethylene) (ePTFE) graft was modified to be used as a hemodialysis vascular access. Biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) was coated onto the inner surface of ePTFE graft with paclitaxel, which is often used as an anti-cancer agent and for reducing neointimal hyperplasia. Surface characterization before and after PLGA coating was carried out by SEM and ATR-FTIR. Porous sturcture of ePTFE was maintained after coating of PLGA solution. The amounts of coated PLGA and paclitaxel determined by ATRFTIR and HPLC were 1.96 and 0.263 mg/cm2, respectively. Young's modulus was decreased and tensile strength was increased by PLGA coating. Released paclitaxel as a function of incubation time was monitored by HPLC. Approximately 35% of coated paclitaxel was released steadily for 4 weeks with the biodegradation of PLGA. From these results, it is expected that the effect of paclitaxel on reducing neointimal hyperplasia and stenosis is maintained for a long time.

본 연구에서는 혈액투석 시 필요한 혈관접근통로로 활용되는 expanded poly(tetrafluoro ethylene)(ePTFE) 인공혈관을 표면 개질하였다. 생분해성 합성고분자인 poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA)와 함께 항암제로서 뿐만아니라 항증식제제로서 널리 쓰이고 있는 파클리탁셀을 인공혈관 표면에 코팅함으로써 PLGA가 생분해됨에 따라 파클리탁셀을 서방할 수 있도록 고안하였다. 인공혈관의 다공구조 특성을 유지하면서 인공혈관 표면에 1.96 mg/cm2의 PLGA가 코팅되었음을 ATR-FTIR을 통해 확인하였다. 또한 0.263 mg/cm2의 파클리탁셀이 인공혈관에 코팅되었음을 HPLC로 확인하였다. PLGA를 코팅함으로써 인공혈관의 모듈러스는 감소하였으나 인장강도는 향상되었다. 약물방출 실험 결과 PLGA의 생분해거동에 동반하여 코팅된 파클리탁셀의 약 35%가 28일 동안 지속적으로 방출되었다. 이러한 지속적인 파클리탁셀의 방출은 장기간에 걸쳐 신내막 과형성증을 억제하여 혈관의 개존율을 향상시킬 것으로 기대된다.

Keywords: ePTFE graft; paclitaxel; PLGA; surface modification; drug release.