Optimized polymer coating for magnesium alloy-based bioresorbable scaffolds for long-lasting drug release and corrosion resistance

A magnesium alloy-based bioresorbable scaffold was coated with different polymers in a double layer, exhibiting a long-lasting drug release capability from the top layer and corrosion resistance of the scaffold via the base layer. [Display omitted] •PDLLA coating on Mg scaffolds exhibited slow release as a drug reservoir.•PCL coating exhibited improved corrosion resistance of Mg scaffolds.•A double-layer coating of PCL and PDLLA exhibited for ideal Mg scaffolds. Magnesium (Mg) alloy-based bioresorbable scaffolds (BRSs) are attracting interest as next-generation stents. However, because medical Mg alloy materials degrade relatively quickly in physiological media, surface corrosion protection via biodegradable polymer coatings is important for clinical applications. Herein, the influence of biodegradable polymer coatings on the BRS corrosion was investigated. First, elution of the drug sirolimus (SRL) from various biodegradable polymers was estimated, including poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PDLLA), poly(d,l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). Among these, the PDLLA polymer exhibited the slowest release and the best character as a drug reservoir because of its slow degradation rate and semi-glass state in a biological environment. However, the corrosion rate of the PDLLA-coated Mg alloy (AZ31)-based platform was as rapid as the non-coated platform, while critical defects, cracking and desorption were observed in the PDLLA layer. Coatings comprising PCL and PLCL exhibited a prolonged platform corrosion resistance compared with that of PDLLA. To combine the advantages of each polymer, therefore, a pre-coating of PCL or PLCL was applied to the interface between the platform and the external SRL-loaded PDLLA layer. This layering exhibited an enhanced platform corrosion resistance, and will be an important foundational procedure for the development of a coronary scaffold comprising magnesium alloys.