In vitro cytotoxic effects of secondary metabolites of DEHP and its alternative plasticizers DINCH and DINP on a L929 cell line.

Background: Phthalic acid esters are widely used to improve the plasticity of PVC in medical devices (MD). The most famous plasticizer is DEHP, whose use in medical devices has been contested by the European authorities since 2008. Several alternative plasticizers are being considered to replace DEHP, such as DEHT, TOTM, DINP or DINCH, but they are also released from the PVC throughout their life cycle and are metabolized in the same way as DEHP.

Application of Millifluidics to Encapsulate and Support Viable Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Polysaccharide Hydrogel.

Human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) are widely known for their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. This study proposes a method to protect cells during and after their injection by encapsulation in a hydrogel using a droplet millifluidics technique. A biocompatible, self-hardening biomaterial composed of silanized-hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Si-HPMC) hydrogel was used and dispersed in an oil continuous phase.

Patients' exposure to PVC plasticizers from ECMO circuits.

Background: ECMO is a therapeutic act with a high risk of exposure to diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), plasticizer from PVC tubings. The replacement of this plasticizer with alternative compounds is recommended but the risks associated with the use of new plasticizers have not been evaluated in ECMO situations.

Methods: Ex vivo ECMO models were performed with different flow rates over 6 days to evaluate the migration of plasticizers and their potential toxic risk for patient.

Polysaccharide Hydrogels Support the Long-Term Viability of Encapsulated Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Ability to Secrete Immunomodulatory Factors.

While therapeutically interesting, the injection of MSCs suffers major limitations including cell death upon injection and a massive leakage outside the injection site. We proposed to entrap MSCs within spherical particles derived from alginate, as a control, or from silanized hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Si-HPMC). We developed water in an oil dispersion method to produce small Si-HPMC particles with an average size of about 68 m.

In vitro cytotoxic effects of DEHP-alternative plasticizers and their primary metabolites on a L929 cell line.

Phthalic acid esters have been widely used to improve the plasticity of PVC medical devices. They carry a high exposure risk for both humans and the environment in clinical situations. Our study focuses on the cytotoxicity of alternative plasticizers.