{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]],"date-time":"2025-12-31T17:59:47Z","timestamp":1767203987952,"version":"3.48.0"},"reference-count":33,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,30]],"date-time":"2025-12-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767052800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Medicina"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background and Objectives: Implant-associated complications, including foreign-body responses and infection risk, remain major concerns in reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery. Antimicrobial polymer coatings have been proposed as potential preventive strategies, but early-stage development requires simple and ethically refined in vivo models. This pilot study aimed to (i) establish a practical workflow for applying PLGA\u2013vancomycin coatings onto PTFE substrates used as experimental analogs for smooth silicone implants, and (ii) develop a small-animal implantation protocol for short-term evaluation of surgical feasibility and local tissue tolerability. Materials and Methods: PLGA microparticles and PLGA\u2013vancomycin microparticles were prepared using a double-emulsion solvent-evaporation method and applied onto PTFE discs. Particle size and polydispersity were assessed based on dynamic light scattering (DLS), and surface charge was measured via zeta potential. A bilateral subcutaneous implantation model was used in four Wistar rats, each receiving a PTFE disc coated with PLGA-only on one side and a disc coated with PLGA\u2013vancomycin on the other. Animals were monitored for postoperative recovery, wound appearance, and general condition. After four weeks, implants and surrounding tissues were harvested for macroscopic and preliminary histological evaluation. Results: Both PLGA-only and PLGA\u2013vancomycin microparticles showed submicron mean hydrodynamic diameters and moderately polydisperse distributions typical for double-emulsion formulations. All animals recovered normally, maintained stable body weight, and exhibited no macroscopic signs of adverse reactions. Preliminary histology showed early fibrous capsule formation with mild inflammatory infiltrate around both types of coated implants, without qualitative differences observed in this pilot setting. Conclusions: This preliminary study demonstrates the feasibility of applying PLGA-only and PLGA\u2013vancomycin coatings onto PTFE implant analogs and establishes a reproducible, minimal-use rat model for short-term evaluation of local tissue tolerability. The protocol provides a practical foundation for future work on coating stability, drug-release kinetics, antibacterial activity, and long-term tissue responses on medical-grade silicone substrates.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina62010081","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]],"date-time":"2025-12-31T17:24:58Z","timestamp":1767201898000},"page":"81","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Development and Pilot in Vivo Testing of a Protocol for PLGA\u2013Vancomycin Coatings on PTFE Used as Silicone-Implant Analogs"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"62","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-5978-1878","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alina-Alexandra","family":"Negril\u0103","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-3807-5013","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Oliviu","family":"Nica","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Maria Viorica","family":"Cioc\u00eelteu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Instrumental and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4715-1423","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrei","family":"Bit\u0103","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9732-202X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Claudiu","family":"Nicolicescu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Engineering and Management of Technological Systems, Faculty of Mechanics, University of Craiova, 220037 Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Alexandru-Bogdan","family":"Popescu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Marius-Eugen","family":"Ciurea","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1590\/S0102-86502007000300006","article-title":"Comparison between textured silicone implants and those bonded with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in rats","volume":"22","author":"Zveibel","year":"2007","journal-title":"Acta Cir. Bras."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tiwari, A., Sharma, P., Vishwamitra, B., and Singh, G. (2021). Review on Surface Treatment for Implant Infection via Gentamicin and Antibiotic Releasing Coatings. Coatings, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/coatings11081006"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1801106","DOI":"10.1002\/adhm.201801106","article-title":"Shin; Current Advances in Immunomodulatory Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration","volume":"8","author":"Lee","year":"2019","journal-title":"Adv. Healthc. Mater."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Schoberleitner, I., Lackner, M., Cora\u00e7a-Huber, D.C., Augustin, A., Imsirovic, A., Sigl, S., and Wolfram, D. (2024). SMI-Capsular Fibrosis and Biofilm Dynamics: Molecular Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Antimicrobial Approaches. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 25.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202410.0831.v1"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4513","DOI":"10.1016\/j.actbio.2012.09.029","article-title":"Controlling fibrous capsule formation through long-term down-regulation of collagen type I (COL1A1) expression by nanofiber-mediated siRNA gene silencing","volume":"9","author":"Rujitanaroj","year":"2013","journal-title":"Acta Biomater."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ivanova, E., Fayzullin, A., Minaev, N., Dolganova, I., Serejnikova, N., Gafarova, E., Tokarev, M., Minaeva, E., Aleksandrova, P., and Reshetov, I. (2023). Surface Topography of PLA Implants Defines the Outcome of Foreign Body Reaction: An In Vivo Study. Polymers, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym15204119"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37424","DOI":"10.1039\/C8RA06659K","article-title":"pH-responsive and porous vancomycin-loaded PLGA microspheres: Evidence of controlled and sustained release for localized inflammation inhibition in vitro","volume":"8","author":"Yu","year":"2018","journal-title":"RSC Adv."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"13","article-title":"T-cell activation is enhanced by targeting IL-10 cytokine production in toll-like receptor-stimulated macrophages","volume":"1","author":"Walk","year":"2012","journal-title":"ImmunoTargets Ther."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Whitfield, R., Tipton, C.D., Diaz, N., Ancira, J., and Landry, K.S. (2024). Clinical Evaluation of Microbial Communities and Associated Biofilms with Breast Augmentation Failure. Microorganisms, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms12091830"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100532","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apsadv.2023.100532","article-title":"Antimicrobial approaches for medical implants coating to prevent implants associated infections: Insights to develop durable antimicrobial implants","volume":"18","author":"Haq","year":"2023","journal-title":"Appl. Surf. Sci. Adv."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Omidian, H., and Wilson, R.L. (2025). PLGA Implants for Controlled Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine: Advances, Challenges, and Clinical Potential. Pharmaceuticals, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ph18050631"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hsu, Y.-H., Yu, Y.-H., Chou, Y.-C., Lu, C.-J., Lin, Y.-T., Ueng, S.W.-N., and Liu, S.-J. (2023). Sustained Release of Antifungal and Antibacterial Agents from Novel Hybrid Degradable Nanofibers for the Treatment of Polymicrobial Osteomyelitis. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms24043254"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1377","DOI":"10.3390\/polym3031377","article-title":"Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) as Biodegradable Controlled Drug Delivery Carrier","volume":"3","author":"Makadia","year":"2011","journal-title":"Polymers"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Vishwakarma, V., Kaliaraj, G.S., and Amirtharaj Mosas, K.K. (2023). Multifunctional Coatings on Implant Materials\u2014A Systematic Review of the Current Scenario. Coatings, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/coatings13010069"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"82","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpharm.2015.12.025","article-title":"Design of PLGA-based depot delivery systems for biopharmaceuticals prepared by spray drying","volume":"498","author":"Wan","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. J. Pharm."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"505","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jconrel.2012.01.043","article-title":"PLGA-based nanoparticles: An overview of biomedical applications","volume":"161","author":"Danhier","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Control. Release"},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"30","article-title":"Recent biomedical applications and patents on biodegradable polymer-PLGA","volume":"1","author":"Singh","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Pharmacol. Pharm. Sci."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1016\/S0168-3659(02)00127-X","article-title":"Residual polyvinyl alcohol associated with poly (d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles affects their physical properties and cellular uptake","volume":"82","author":"Sahoo","year":"2002","journal-title":"J. Control. Release"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jia, Z., Ma, C., and Zhang, H. (2021). PLGA Coatings and PLGA Drug-Loading Coatings for Cardiac Stent Samples: Degradation Characteristics and Blood Compatibility. Coatings, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/coatings11111427"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"935","DOI":"10.1007\/s00396-007-1651-7","article-title":"Synthesis of polytetrafluoroethylene\/polyacrylate core\u2013shell nanoparticles via emulsifier-free seeded emulsion polymerization","volume":"285","author":"Cui","year":"2007","journal-title":"Colloid Polym. Sci."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bin Qasim, S.S., Al-Asfour, A.A., Abuzayeda, M., Mohamed, A.M., Trajkovski, B., Murray, C.A., and Zafiropoulos, G.-G. (2023). Differences in Mechanical and Physicochemical Properties of Several PTFE Membranes Used in Guided Bone Regeneration. Materials, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma16030904"},{"key":"ref_22","unstructured":"Wikol, M., Hartmann, B., Brendle, J., Crane, M., Beuscher, U., Brake, J., and Shickel, T. Expanded Poly tetrafluoroethylene Mem-branes and their applications. Filtration and Purification in the Biopharmaceutical Industry, W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc."},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"278","article-title":"Effects of Platelet Rich Fibrin on Full Thickness Skin Grafts in the Rat Model\u2014Planimetry Results","volume":"45","author":"Nica","year":"2019","journal-title":"Curr. Health Sci. J."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"171","DOI":"10.1016\/S0168-3659(98)00116-3","article-title":"PLGA Nanoparticles Prepared by Nanoprecipitation: Drug Loading and Release Studies of a Water-Soluble Drug","volume":"57","author":"Govender","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Control. Release"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"116","DOI":"10.1054\/jcms.2000.0127","article-title":"Histological evaluation of different biodegradable and non-biodegradable membranes implanted subcutaneously in rats","volume":"28","author":"Zhao","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surg."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1007\/s00192-010-1257-3","article-title":"Tissue response to a new type of biomaterial implanted subcutaneously in rats","volume":"22","author":"Boennelycke","year":"2011","journal-title":"Int. Urogynecology J."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Domb, A.J., and Kumar, N. (2011). Biodegradable Polymers in Clinical Use and Clinical Development, John Wiley & Sons.","DOI":"10.1002\/9781118015810"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Esteves, G.M., Esteves, J., Resende, M., Mendes, L., and Azevedo, A.S. (2022). Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Coating of Dental Implants\u2014Past and New Perspectives. Antibiotics, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/antibiotics11020235"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yang, J., Zeng, H., Luo, Y., Chen, Y., Wang, M., Wu, C., and Hu, P. (2024). Recent Applications of PLGA in Drug Delivery Systems. Polymers, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym16182606"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yarbrough, D., and Gerecht, S. (2022). Engineering Smooth Muscle to Understand Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Vascular Disease. Bioengineering, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/bioengineering9090449"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Inchingolo, A.M., Malcangi, G., and Patano, A. (2023). Surface Coatings of Dental Implants: A Review. J. Funct. Biomater., 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/jfb14050287"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shakya, A.K., Al-Sulaibi, M., Naik, R.R., Nsairat, H., Suboh, S., and Abulaila, A. (2023). Review on PLGA Polymer Based Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Properties and Their Application in Various Medical Conditions or Infections. Polymers, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym15173597"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Arriaza-Echanes, C., Terraza, C.A., Tundidor-Camba, A., Sanhueza Ch, L., and Ortiz, P.A. (2025). Novel Co-Polyamides Containing Pendant Phenyl\/Pyridinyl Groups with Potential Application in Water Desalination Processes. Polymers, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym17020208"}],"container-title":["Medicina"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/62\/1\/81\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]],"date-time":"2025-12-31T17:56:24Z","timestamp":1767203784000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/62\/1\/81"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,30]]},"references-count":33,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]}},"alternative-id":["medicina62010081"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/medicina62010081","relation":{},"ISSN":["1648-9144"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1648-9144","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,30]]}}}