Abstract:Objective To prepare a mitomycin C (MMC)-eluting stent for biliary tract, and to observe the drug delivery from the stent. MethodsThe mixed powder of MMC and polylactic glycolic acid (PLGA) was dissolved with their common solvent tetrahydrofuran (THF), with a drug concentration of 1%. The 6Fr biliary stent was soaked in the above solution for 10 min, and then was subjected to vacuum drying and was stored at room temperature. Then MMC-eluting stent was weighed and the MMC load was calculated. The MMC-eluting stents were soaked in 8 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4)and placed in a shaker at a constant temperature of 37℃ for 24 h soaking; then fresh PBS was changed every day for 30 days. The leaching solutions of the 1-30 days were subjected to chromatographic analysis to determine the concentrations of MMC. Results MMC load on each stent was (216.20±2.04) μg, with the load per unit area being (0.732±0.007) μg/mm2. MMC could be released from the stent surface in a sustainable manner. The elution concentration of MMC was (1.81±0.06) μg/ml on first day and (1.24±0.04) μg/ml on the second day; then it fluctuated within 0.61-0.84 μg/ml. The concentration of MMC began to decrease from the 21st day, and it was (0.51±0.01) μg/ml on the 30th day. Conclusion MMC-eluting biliary stents can be successfully prepared using polylactic acid as a drug carrier. In vitro study shows that the drug-eluting stents can sustainably and stably release MMC for over 30 days.