Enhanced sealing strength of a hydrophobically-modified Alaska pollock gelatin-based sealant

The aim of this study was the development of an innovative biocompatible sealant composed of Alaska pollock-derived gelatin partially modified with a dodecyl group (C12-ApGltn) and a poly(ethylene glycol)-based crosslinker, pentaerythritol poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate. The burst strength of the developed sealants was measured using porcine aorta and rat lungs. The maximum burst strength of a C12-ApGltn-based sealant against the porcine aorta was 4-fold higher than that of an original ApGltn (Org-ApGltn)-based sealant. No significant increase in the burst strength was observed between C12-ApGltn-based sealants with 4.2 and 8.9 mol% modification ratios. From histological observation after burst strength measurement, tissue tearing was observed when a C12-ApGltn-based sealant was applied. In contrast, the Org-ApGltn-based sealant was peeled away from the aorta surface due to cohesion failure. Similar to the porcine aorta, the burst strength of C12-ApGltn-based sealants applied on a rat lung defect was 3-fold higher than that of an Org-ApGltn-based sealant. The curing time of the C12-ApGltn-based sealant measured by a simple mixing method was shorter (2.6 ± 0.1 s) than that of the Org-ApGltn-based sealant (4.1 ± 0.3 s). The swelling ratio of the C12-ApGltn-based sealant (23.7 ± 3.1) was significantly lower than that of the Org-ApGltn-based sealant (32.3 ± 1.1). The C12-ApGltn-based sealant was completely degraded within 28 days after implantation in the backs of rats without a severe inflammation reaction. However, the Org-ApGltn-based sealant disappeared within 14 days. These results indicated that hydrophobically-modified ApGltn has an effective sealing effect on moist tissues and biocompatibility in vivo.