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Published on: June 8, 2016
A self-assembling hydrophobically modified chitosan capable of reversible hemostatic action.
Matthew B Dowling1, Rakesh Kumar, Mark A Keibler
1Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. mdowlin2@umd.edu
Biomaterials
|February 8, 2011
Summary
A new hydrophobically modified chitosan rapidly gels blood to form a hemostatic plug, stopping bleeding. This reversible gelation, achieved using a sugar-based molecule, shows promise for wound dressings.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Hemostasis Research
Background:
- Mammalian wound bleeding is controlled by fibrin-based hemostatic plugs.
- Native chitosan does not gel blood, unlike its modified derivative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hemostatic potential of a novel amphiphilic biopolymer.
- To explore the reversible gelation of blood using this biopolymer.
Main Methods:
- Hydrophobically modified chitosan (hm-chitosan) was synthesized from chitosan.
- The ability of hm-chitosan to gel heparinized human blood was tested.
- Reversibility of gelation was assessed using α-cyclodextrin.
- Efficacy was evaluated in animal injury models.
Main Results:
- Hm-chitosan rapidly transformed liquid blood into an elastic gel.
- Native chitosan did not exhibit this gelation property.
- Gelation was reversed upon addition of α-cyclodextrin.
- Animal models showed a 90% reduction in bleeding time.
Conclusions:
- Hm-chitosan effectively gels blood by cross-linking cell membranes.
- Reversible gelation is achieved via interaction with α-cyclodextrin.
- Hm-chitosan presents a promising low-cost hemostatic dressing for trauma and military applications.
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