Promoting renal I/R injury repair by in-situ electric stimulation using biodegradable piezoelectric polylactide/vitamin B2 composite nanofibrous membrane

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury during renal transplantation remains a prevalent challenge. Recent studies proposed protective effects against renal I/R injury using electric fields during organ preservation stage. However, I/R process extends to the post reperfusion stage and traditional electrical stimulation methods face limitations, requiring power sources and electrodes. Hence, there is a need for implantable, biodegradable materials capable of continuously generating electrical stimulation to treat kidney I/R injury over an extended period. In this work, a polylactide/Vitamin B₂ (PLLA/VB₂) composite nanofibrous membrane was designed. The incorporation of VB₂ into PLLA, coupled with electrospinning, significantly enhanced its piezoelectric performance and flexibility, thereby enabling optimal adherence and efficient in-situ electrical stimulation. Experimental results underscored that PLLA/VB₂ nanofibrous membrane could mitigate tubular injury, facilitate cell regeneration, and alleviate interstitial fibrosis possibly by preserving mitochondrial structure and function. This innovative approach not only pioneers new strategies for addressing I/R related conditions but also offers potential treatments for a range of diseases linked to oxidative stress.