Elastin as a potential biomaterial

Porcine vessels, including aortas and carotids, were digested by boiling them in sodium hydroxide until only elastin remained. Amino acid analysis confirmed the extraction of pure porcine elastin. SEM analysis indicated the fibrous structure. The elastin was characterized with axial and circumferential tensile tests to determine yield strengths, elastic moduli, and expansion ratios. Subdermal implant experiments conducted in BALB/C mice demonstrated both the lack of antigenicity and host response for cross species implantation and the ability to prevent its calcification. Vascular implantations revealed the non-thrombogenic characteristic of elastin.