Engineering an Electrospun Composite Ureteral Stent Based on PLGA with Antibacterial Properties and Tailored Mechanical Strength

This study aims to assess the feasibility of creating an antibacterial electrospun ureteral stent using biocompatible and biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-<i>co</i>-glycolide) (PLGA). Two strategies were employed: the incorporation of layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles with a Zn/Al cation pair as reinforcing agents and the design of a three-layer electrospun structure with different fiber arrangements. LDH nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mono/three-layer electrospun mats were prepared from pure PLGA and PLGA/LDH (3% LDH) with different fiber orientations to control the usual shrinkage of PLGA mats. A third composite with LDH and 0.5% chitosan was developed to enhance the antibacterial properties of the mats in synergy with Zn ions of LDH. SEM and tensile analyses were used to analyze the mat's morphology and mechanical properties, and significant improvement in the three-layered mat's mechanical properties with LDH and chitosan was demonstrated. Biodegradation and mechanical properties of the PLGA/chitosan/LDH sample were studied 2, 4, and 6 weeks after incubation in phosphate-buffered saline. Mechanical properties noticeably decreased after 4 weeks. The designed stent material exhibited excellent in vitro biocompatibility, significant antibacterial activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and suitable in vitro biodegradability. To summarize, the designed structure introduced a promising approach for developing advanced ureteral stents with improved mechanical and antibacterial characteristics.