A Preliminary in Vivo Assessment of Acrylic Acid Graft-Copolymers in the Urinary Tract

Abstract

Polymers such as polyethylene, polytetrafluorethylene and polypropylene may be copolymerized with acrylic acid by radiation initiation to produce copolymers which are cationic hydrogels and thus possess physical properties different to the base polymers from which they are derived. The present preliminary study was undertaken to determine whether this class of material may have potential application for use within the urinary tract. Inserts of such copolymers in sheet form (5 mm. square) and their corresponding base polymers were placed in the bladders of male Wistar rats as free floating grafts and left in situ for 3 months. Stone formation and/or encrustation occurred on 12 of the 16 radiation graft copolymers and on 9 of 11 of the corresponding base polymers. The altered physical properties of the tested acrylic acid graft copolymers appear to offer no additional resistance to encrustation although their plasticity and ability to swell in water may provide some advantages over more conventional polymeric materials.

A New Biomaterial for Urinary Catheters

“…described the following histological findings in similar study: epithelial hyperplasia, exophytic mucosal growth with deep folds (similar to cystic cystitis found), and areas with inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes, mast cells, and plamocytes [31]. A model to evaluate intersticial cystitis induced rat bladder inflammation.…”

“…When anesthetized, many animals urinated. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated germs, otherwise Ford et al [31] found many colonized animals and in its majority with Streptococcus faecalis. Only one animal grown up Staphylococcus epidermidis.…”

“…Our follow up time was so long. First, we based upon Ford's study [31] that followed animals for 3 months. Also, studies in humans demonstrate increasing complications catheter-related chances beyond 3 months [35].…”