Dynamically and Spatially Controllable Albumin-Based Hydrogels for the Prevention of Postoperative Adhesion

Since the degree of severity and the geometry of wounds vary, it is necessary to prepare an antiadhesive hydrogel that possesses dynamically controllable material properties, exhibits biodegradability, and possesses drug-releasing properties. Injectable, oxygen peroxide-sensitive, and photo-cross-linkable hydrogels that permit in situ dynamic and spatial control of their physicochemical properties were synthesized for the prevention of postoperative adhesion. Albumin is the most abundant protein in blood serum and serves as a carrier for several molecules that exhibit poor water solubility. It is therefore a suitable biomaterial for the fabrication of hydrogels since it presents a low risk of life-threatening complications and does not require immunosuppressive therapy for preventing graft rejection. The physicochemical properties of this hydrogel can then be spatially postadjusted via transdermal exposure to light to release drugs, depending on what is required for the injury. A significant reduction in postoperative peritoneal adhesion was observed in an animal model involving severe sidewall and bowel abrasions. This study demonstrated that the fabricated dually cross-linked, albumin-based hydrogels have great potential in such applications because they showed a low immune response, easy handling, full wound coverage, and tunable biodegradability. Precise spatial and controllable drug-release profiles may also be achieved via in situ transdermal post-tuning of the biomaterials, depending on the injury.