  Surface modification of poly(L-lactide) (L-PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL)
bioresorbable polymers by radio-frequency thermal glow discharge plasma is
reported. Improved biocompatibility of L-PLA and PCL materials was obtained by
employing hydroxyapatite target sputtering in Ar+ plasma as evidenced by the
change of L-PLA and PCL properties from highly hydrophobic to hydrophilic, with
absolute wettability obtained for both materials, and enhanced endothelial
hybrid cell line EA-hy 926 attachment to modified surfaces. For the latter,
surface properties that suppress adverse cellular responses (e.g. apoptosis,
necrosis) were also attained. Surface roughness and surface free energy were
found to increase significantly for both polymers under prolonged plasma
exposure and, a longer chain aliphatic PCL were found to display a marginally
better post plasma-treated biocompatibility compared to L-PLA.
