Controlled release of platelet-derived growth factor using ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAc) coated on stainless-steel wires

Controlled delivery of bioactive molecules to modulate or control biological processes has a number of clinical applications. The present study reports a delivery system which was designed to deliver growth factors locally to a fracture site. Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAc), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) were combined and coated onto a stainless-steel Kirschner wire (K-wire). A K-wire can be used as an intramedullary nail in small animal fractures, such as the rat. PDGF-BB stimulates thymidine uptake in human bone cell cultures when released from the K-wire delivery system. BSA release was modified by providing a final coating on the K-wire of 10% pure EVAc at the end of the fabrication. Electron microscopic examination of the surface of the rods revealed different surface pores on the K-wires coated with pure EVAc. Differences in porosity and tortuosity may account, in part, for the different release kinetics observed.