The influence of a multifunctional, polymeric biomaterial on the concentration of acute phase proteins in an animal model.

The concentrations of the acute phase proteins alpha1-Acid Glycoprotein (AAG) and haptoglobin were determined in Sprague-Dawley-rats after implantation of a novel biodegradable multifunctional polymeric biomaterial for the reconstruction of a gastric wall defect (polymer group; n=42). For comparison, the concentrations of AAG and haptoglobin were measured as well after primary wound closure of the gastric wall defect without biomaterial implantation (control group; n=21) and in rats without any surgical procedure (baseline group; n=21). The implantation periods were 1 week, 4 weeks and 6 months. The concentrations of AAG and haptoglobin were measured by an ELISA assay. Gastrointestinal complications like fistula, perforation or peritonitis did not occur in any of the animals. No statistically significant differences in the concentrations of AAG and haptoglobin were detected between the polymer and the control group. An adequate mechanical stability of the polymeric biomaterial was detectable under the extreme pathophysiological conditions of the stomach milieu. In further examinations the correlation between the intraperitoneal cytokine levels of the animals and the following systemic inflammatory markers should be analysed. Further investigations are needed to analyse the mechanisms of the tissue integration of a biomaterial as well as the process of the tissue remodeling and the influence of the immune system on these mechanisms. The knowledge of these processes is necessary to adapt the multifunctional biomaterial and prepare it thus for the use and implantation in different body locations and to develop novel therapeutical options in medicine.