Dextran and gelatin based photocrosslinkable tissue adhesive.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Developing effective tissue adhesives is crucial for surgical procedures.
• Existing adhesives like fibrin glue have limitations in strength and application.
• Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers offer promising alternatives for tissue repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel two-component tissue adhesive using oxidized urethane dextran (Dex-U-AD) and gelatin.
• To evaluate the adhesive strength, crosslinking properties, and biocompatibility of the developed tissue adhesive.
• To assess the influence of the degree of oxidation of Dex-U-AD on the adhesive's performance.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of a two-component adhesive system based on Dex-U-AD and gelatin.
• Photocrosslinking of the adhesive using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.
• Characterization of Dex-U-AD structure using FTIR, 1H NMR, and XRD.
• Evaluation of adhesion strength via lap-shear tests.
• Monitoring photopolymerization using real-time infrared spectroscopy (RTIR).
• Assessment of cytotoxicity using L929 cell lines.

Main Results:

• The Dex-U-AD/gelatin adhesive demonstrated strong adhesion to gelatin substrates, simulating human tissue.
• Maximum adhesion strength reached 4.16±0.72 MPa, surpassing that of fibrin glue.
• The photopolymerization and curing process was completed in under 5 minutes.
• Cytotoxicity tests confirmed the non-toxic nature of the Dex-U-AD/gelatin gels to L929 cells.
• A correlation was established between the degree of Dex-U-AD oxidation and the adhesive properties.

Conclusions:

• The developed Dex-U-AD/gelatin photocrosslinked adhesive exhibits superior adhesion strength and rapid curing.
• The adhesive is biocompatible and non-toxic, making it a safe option for tissue applications.
• This novel biomaterial holds significant potential as a next-generation tissue adhesive for various surgical needs.