MSE C Journal
We reported in 2013 in the article published in Advanced Materials that metallic zinc exhibited an ideal biocorrosion rate within murine aortas, thus raising the possibility that zinc might be the ideal material for endovascular stenting applications. In the new article entitled “Metallic zinc exhibits optimal biocompatibility for bioabsorbable endovascular stents” just published in Materials Science and Engineering C we further assessed the arterial biocompatibility of metallic zinc. Metallic zinc wires were punctured and advanced into the rat abdominal aorta lumen for up to 6.5 months. This study demonstrates that metallic zinc does not provoke responses that often contribute to restenosis. Low cell densities and neointimal tissue thickness, along with tissue regeneration within the corroding implant, point to optimal biocompatibility of zinc and its corrosion products. Furthermore, the lack of progression in neointimal tissue thickness over 6.5 months or the presence of smooth muscle cells near the zinc implant suggest that the products of zinc corrosion may suppress the activities of inflammatory and smooth muscle cells. This new contribution is the interdisciplinary effort that was led by Prof. Goldman and involves our collaborator from the University of Michigan.
