Cefaclor protection of gelatin-sealed vascular graft
M. Miazga-Karska1, G. Ginalska1, D. Kowalczuk2
1
Chair and Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Lublin
1 Chodźki Str, 20-930 Lublin Poland
2
Chair and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin
4 Jaczewskiego Str, 20-930 Lublin Poland
Bacterial infection is the most common cause of biomaterial implant failure in modern
medicine. To lower the risk of this type of complications, the biomaterials are often
supplemented with antibiotics. However, simple soaking of prosthesis in antibiotic solution
gives only short-term remedial effect.
Our target was to develop a new method of chemical binding of cefaclor to vascular
prostheses (made of polyethylene terephtalate fibers and sealed with gelatin) and as a result to obtain an effective and prolonged antibacterial protection of implants. We have
immobilized cefaclor using two types of bounding: physical (short-term antibiotic effect) and
chemical (covalent bounding giving long–term result).
Cephalosporin II-gen – cefaclor was immobilized on gelatin-sealed vascular
prostheses Uni-Graft® (Braun), according to the method described by Hermanson et al [3].
Glutaraldehyde was used in this method as a activator and space arm between the biomaterial
and drug. Amount of ceftriaxon bound to prosthesis and percent yield of immobilization were
determined by HPLC technique according to British Pharmacopoeia (1998). Depending on
the used conditions the graft containing from 0.4 to 20 mg drug / g of matrix with from 10 to
90% immobilization yield. The antibacterial effect of immobilized cefaclor was tested using
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 strain. Inhibition of colonization of antibiotic-modified
biomaterial by the bacteria and creation of biofilm on its surface was controlled by CFU
measurement and by TTC method. Biomaterial modified with drug exerted strong inhibitory
effect on bacteria strain used in this experiment. Such modified biomaterial is much more
resistant against microbiological colonization and biofilm formation than control implant
without the modification.
This preliminary research indicates, that covalent immobilization of cefaclor to
vascular prosthesis resulted in stable antibacterial protection of the implant for long time.
Keywords: vascular prosthesis, cefaclor, immobilization
[1]. Hermanson G.T, Mallia A.K, Smith P.K. (1992), Immobilized affinity ligand techniques
Academic Press, INC.
This work was financed by the Minister of Science and Higher Education
Polish Grant 2 PO5B 067 30