Long-term in vivo performance and biocompatibility of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel macrocapsules for hybrid-type artificial pancreas

A bag-shaped macrocapsule suitable for Langerhans islets entrapment and immunoisolation was constructed using a semipermeable hydrogel membrane of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) cross-linked chemically and sterilized by a radiation method. Empty (not seeded with Langerhans islets), sealed, sterile macrocapsules were implanted into the intraperitoneal cavity of adult female Buffalo rats for periods of up to 6.5 months. Long-term in vivo performance of the macrocapsule membrane was evaluated on the basis of the permeability measurements of glucose and albumin. The results of experiments revealed the progressive, disadvantageous alterations of the PVA hydrogel membrane resulting in a decrease in the permeability of solutes. Histochemical examinations of the cellular enzyme activities in the implant-encapsulating tissue, regarding the acid and alkaline phosphatases, were performed to evaluate the activity of cells involved in the inflammatory response to the long-term macrocapsule implantation.