Sodium Lignosulfonate Cross-Linked Bioprosthetic Heart Valve Materials for Enhanced Cytocompatibility, Improved Hemocompatibility, and Reduced Calcification

This study introduces sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) as a non-glutaraldehyde cross-linker for porcine pericardium intended for bioprosthetic heart valve applications. Compared with conventional glutaraldehyde-treated tissue, SLS-cross-linked pericardium exhibited dramatically improved cytocompatibility, reduced protein adsorption, lower inflammatory cytokine expression, and a more than eight-fold reduction in in vivo calcification after subcutaneous implantation. Importantly, SLS-treated tissues retained mechanical strength, stiffness, and enzymatic stability comparable to glutaraldehyde-treated controls, indicating that improved biological performance was achieved without sacrificing mechanical integrity. These results position SLS as a promising alternative cross-linker for next-generation bioprosthetic heart valves.