Page 340 - IJB-10-2

International Journal of Bioprinting 3D printing with drug for vascular repair

they are valuable tools for promoting vascular regeneration and advancing therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular
diseases. Further research is required to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action and optimize their clinical applications.

Keywords: 3D Bioprinting; Nanoparticles; Artificial blood vessels; Atorvastatin; Curcumin

1. Introduction research strives to overcome these limitations, aiming to
improve the utility and safety of artificial blood vessels
Vascular diseases encompass a wide variety of conditions in medical applications. 24-27 An innovative approach that
affecting blood vessels and present significant challenges combines drugs, ABVs, surgical interventions such as
to modern healthcare. From atherosclerosis to peripheral stents or catheters, and cell therapies to achieve maximum
arterial disease, these disorders can lead to severe efficiency by accentuating their respective strengths and
complications and increase the risk of life-threatening while overcoming their weaknesses is garnering increasing
events such as heart attack and stroke. Thus, there is a 28-30
1-5
growing need for innovative approaches that can address attention. Prior to the inception of three-dimensional
these conditions more effectively and provide novel methods (3D) printing technology, the concept of utilizing
for treatment and prevention. 6-8 Traditional treatment combination therapy of drugs and cells in vascular disorder
31-33
methods, such as drugs, aim to prevent or manage vascular treatments prevailed. The technological advancements
diseases by strengthening blood vessel function, lowering in 3D printing have led to significant progress in the
blood pressure, and preventing blood clot formation. development of ABVs loaded with cells. Blood vessels
Although these approaches offer preventive benefits, they consist of various cell types and multiple layers. The
do not provide a comprehensive treatment strategy for transplantation of 3D-printed ABVs alone is fraught
vascular diseases. 9-12 Surgical interventions, including the with limitations in terms of durability, performance,
use of stents, catheters, and artificial blood vessels (ABVs), and regenerative capacity compared to natural blood
are often performed in severe cases of vascular diseases. vessels. 34-36 To address these limitations, cell incorporation
These interventions can deliver immediate therapeutic is executed during the production of ABVs to heighten
efficacy by improving the blood flow. However, they have their resemblance to native tissue so as to enhance blood
some limitations. Issues such as restenosis (re-narrowing vessel regeneration and improve their compatibility. 37-39 For
of the blood vessels) after surgery and the challenge of fully this reason, studies on printing cells loaded with drugs to
restoring non-functional blood vessels limit their long-term improve cell functions have been conducted. 40-43 However,
effectiveness. 13-16 The emergence of cell therapy products maximizing the therapeutic efficacy of transplanted ABVs
as next-generation treatment strategies holds promise for remains challenging.
addressing the limitations of traditional approaches. Cell Transplantation for ischemic diseases triggers substantial
therapies aim to utilize cells that can repair damaged blood alterations in the surrounding microenvironment. These
vessels and promote the formation of new blood vessels. 17-20 changes stem from various factors, including diminished
However, current cell therapies face challenges related to oxygen levels resulting from blood loss during the
limited cell transplantation ability and the capacity for transplantation process under ischemic conditions. 44-46
multipotent angiogenesis (the formation of new blood Additionally, the induction of inflammation and immune
vessels from pre-existing ones). 21-23 responses within the microenvironment occurs as
Among the available approaches, ABVs have been immune cells are recruited to the transplant site, leading to
the focal point of research within the medical field, with heightened oxidative stress. 45,47,48 These factors collectively
a primary objective of evaluating and enhancing their impact tissue damage and cellular interactions within
performance and safety compared to natural vessels. the microenvironment. Understanding these intricate
These ABVs come in various types, including synthetic microenvironmental alterations is imperative to facilitate
versions typically composed of thermosensitive polymers the recovery process following transplant surgery in
and biological constructs crafted from actual tissues. ischemic diseases. Among these dynamic changes, the
The advantages of ABVs include customization for increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the
individual patients, cost-effectiveness in some cases, and prime issue to tackle with. During transplantation, the graft
compatibility for transplantation. However, the application may experience ischemia-reperfusion injury, a condition
of ABVs is limited by the risk of infection and potential where the blood supply to the graft is temporarily reduced
endothelial cell deficiencies in synthetic variants. Ongoing (ischemia) and then restored when it is connected to the

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 332 doi: 10.36922/ijb.1857