# Modulated Degradation of Polylactic Acid Electrospun Coating on WE43 Stents

## TL;DR

This study shows that a polylactic acid coating can slow down the degradation of magnesium stents, making them more durable and biocompatible for use in the body.

## Contribution

The novel application of electrospun PLA coatings on WE43 magnesium stents to modulate degradation and improve biocompatibility is presented.

## Key findings

- PLA-coated stents showed a reduced corrosion rate (0.216 ± 0.013 mm/year) compared to uncoated stents (0.312 ± 0.010 mm/year) after 14 days.
- Coated stents exhibited lower surface damage and magnesium ion release, preserving structural integrity.
- In vitro biocompatibility tests confirmed that PLA-coated stents are non-toxic and support cellular proliferation.

## Abstract

Magnesium-based coronary stents have gained significant interest due to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical properties. However, a key limitation of magnesium in biomedical applications is its low corrosion resistance, which compromises its structural integrity and mechanical strength over time. Polymeric coatings can overcome this challenge, enhancing magnesium-based implants’ corrosion resistance and overall performance. This study applied a polylactic acid (PLA) nanofiber coating to WE43 magnesium (Mg) stents via electrospinning to reduce their corrosion rate. Both uncoated and coated stents underwent in vitro immersion tests in Hank’s solution for 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. The effectiveness of the PLA coating was evaluated through morphological analysis, chemical composition assessment, corrosion behavior (weight change), magnesium ion release, and in vitro biocompatibility. The corrosion observed in the uncoated WE43 stents indicates that protective coatings are necessary to regulate degradation rates over extended implantation periods. The results demonstrated that coated stents exhibited improved performance, maintaining the integrity of the PLA coating for up to 14 days. The coated stents demonstrated reduced surface damage and lower weight loss resulting from lower magnesium release. In our study, the coated stents demonstrated a reduced corrosion rate (0.216 ± 0.013 mm/year) compared with the uncoated stents (0.312 ± 0.010 mm/year), both after 14 days. Additionally, in vitro biocompatibility results confirmed the non-toxic nature of PLA-coated stents, which enhances cellular proliferation and contributes to a more favorable environment for vascular healing. These findings suggest that PLA coatings can effectively prolong the functional durability of WE43 Mg stents, offering a promising solution for enhancing the performance of biodegradable stents in cardiovascular applications.