The Buckypaper (BP) is an innovative material that has attracted the attention of many research groups engaged in the study of its possible applications in various technological fields. Our purpose is demonstrate the viability of the application of nanotechnologies to the General Surgery in human with thwe use of a new self standing prosthetic device for the reconstruction of abdominal wall defects.

The interesting material properties, such as good mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, low density, porosity adaptable, are closely associated to the intrinsic characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), of which BP is made . The high surface development of CNT, in addition to promoting their aggregation, allows the preparation of micro-and nano-porous membranes that exclude the passage of colloidal particles with a diameter greater than 50 nm. The micro-porous structure, also gives the BP high capacity to absorb liquids, such as water, for which the effect of capillarity, penetrates quickly in the mesh material. This could be a possible interpretation of the rapid and effective adhesion of BP to humid biological tissues observed in our preliminary studies on the effects of the BP implanted in vivo.

The bio-adhesion of BP has been documented in ex vivo preliminary experiments mechanical peeling (bench surgery). The results showed that the force required the posting of BP from organic support is much greater than that required for the conventional prosthesis made from polymer networks, commonly used in human hernia surgery fixed with fibrin glue or synthetic materials. Based on these assessments the use of BP could be introduced in the field of prosthetic surgery.

Based on these assessments and based on the potential offered by the use of BP in the field of prosthetic surgery, deductible by the intrinsic characteristics of the material in this project is expected to further research for the development of a new generation of prosthetic materials for humans use, easily implantable by the surgeon without the need for sutures, graphs and / or biological glues.

The reasons are:

1. stitches: they could tighten the knot vessels (ischemia-atrophy) or nerves (chronic pain);
2. graphs: placing blind and can cause bleeding or pain;
3. biological glues: derived from the plasma of donors and thus could transmit diseases unknown.

It is still unknown if BP has the appropriate mechanical properties to withstand the stresses that occur on the abdominal wall and In any case is documented the good bio-adhesion on living tissues and anatomical preparations, but only if made humid.

Exploiting the functional groups present or introduced into the crystalline structure of MWCNTs (multiwall carbon nanotube) and/or on the polymer, it will be possible to implant on the muscle/muscular fascia surface, the composite material, to obtain gripping. Moreover, biologically active molecules, with functions antimicrobial, anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory or analgesic, can be introduced into the crystalline structure of MWCNTs, for modulate the inflammatory response and the incorporation of the implanted material in the fibrous scar.

We would like investigate the effects of exposition to BP fragments on healthy tissues and CaCo2 cells (Cancer Colon cluster), MCF-7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7), a breast cancer cell line, and hSCs (healthy smooth-muscle cells) of thyroid artery.

The objective of this project is to obtain results that can direct the search for the ultimate realization of a prosthetic device for use in human abdominal surgery.

Our Research Group proposes that the present research program has all the skills to achieve all the objectives .

The protocol have been drawn in the respect of environmental policies, and ethical principles on experimentation on animal model, in accordance with the guidelines of the European Union (86/609/EEC-European Economic Community), and the Italian Law n° 116/92.

The clinical-chemical parameters examined from blood samples of 1 ml will be: BUN (blood urea nitrogen), blood glucose, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, albumin, total Blood proteins levels, SGOT (serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase), SGPT (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase), GGT (galactosylhydroxylysyl glucosyltransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and fractionated bilirubin, PT (prothrombin time), APTT/PTT (activated partial thromboplastin time / prothrombin time), Fibrinogen, CBC (complete blood count) formula, lymphocyte sub-populations, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

This procedure will be performed under sedation and followed by body weight check and the pick-up of a blood sample. The same procedure will be repeated twice at the intervention and after 35 days at the sacrifice.

At the time of sacrifice will be prepared anatomic samples of all the viscera and of the implantation site, to be studied histologically. Pathohistological samples for microscopic examination will be prepared. Portions of BP implanted in BPR1-BPR15 will be excised with all the surrounding fascia, dermal and muscular tissues. The same procedures will be performed, also in PRR16-PRR30 group.

The post-operative pain, as in the human, it will be mild, and will be treated with analgesics according to techniques standardized in humans. In our experience, the animals undergo to prosthetic surgery, both the experimental and the control group, will treated with prophylactic antibiotics and pain medication in the immediate post -operative, and will be closely watched.

Even if in animal model, the sterility of all the surgical procedure prevents inflammation, edema and sepsis and abscesses and ensures a low level of postoperative pain. The days after the surgical procedure is expected a moderate appetite of the operated animals and mild clinical symptoms related to the post-operative .

All treated animals will be observed daily to carefully control the amount of food that will be consumed and thus the potential loss of appetite. Will be look for evidence of possible inflammatory and degenerative processes affecting the skin of the abdominal wall, the symptoms of infection or rejection of the prosthesis. If weight loss will be excessive (e.g. more than 10% of the normal weight of an animal of the same race, the same age and in comparison to the control group), or the animal will show clinical symptoms of suffering more than a normal postoperative, will be subjected to general anesthesia and then deleted.

The analgesic and antibiotic therapy performed in the postoperative period will be as follows :

Antibiotic : enrofloxacin 2.5 mg /kg /day I.M. for 5/ 7 days; and anti-inflammatory analgesic : ketoprofen, Findol 10%, 0.3 ml/10kg/die i.m. for 3 /5 days. If necessary will be given also tramadol, 2-4 mg /kg/day in the first 2 /3 days post-intervention . The surgical wound will be checked daily.

The clinical -chemical parameters examined from blood samples of 3 ml will be: BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen), blood glucose, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, albumin, total proteinemia and Blood protein level, SGOT(Serum Glutei Oxaloacetic Transaminase), SGPT(Serum Glutamic PyruvateTransaminase), GGT(gamma glutamyl transferase), ALP(alkaline phosphatase) and fractionated bilirubin, PT(Prothrombin Time), APTT/PTT(Activated partial thromboplastin time), Fibrinogen, CBC(Complete Blood Count) formula, lymphocyte subpopulations, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

At the sacrifice the organ samples will be fixed in 10% buffered formalin, cut and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) for histological observation.

Inclusion Criteria: female Sprague Dawley rats of 300-500 grams of body weight

Exclusion Criteria:

• any kind of illness in rat subjects
• out breed animals