Injectable Nano Whitlockite Incorporated Chitosan Hydrogel for Effective Hemostasis

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Hemostasis Research
• Nanotechnology Applications

Background:

• Uncontrolled bleeding is a critical medical issue leading to organ failure and death.
• Chitosan hydrogels show hemostatic potential via plug formation but can be improved.
• Nano whitlockite (nWH) releases ions that initiate the coagulation cascade.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the hemostatic efficacy of chitosan hydrogel by incorporating nano whitlockite.
• To investigate the hemostatic mechanisms and performance of the composite hydrogel.
• To evaluate the cytocompatibility and blood clotting capabilities of the Ch-nWH hydrogel.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of nano whitlockite (nWH) particles (size 75 ± 5 nm).
• Fabrication and characterization (FTIR, XRD, rheology) of chitosan-nano whitlockite (Ch-nWH) composite hydrogel.
• In vitro blood clotting assays and in vivo hemostasis evaluation on rat models.

Main Results:

• Ch-nWH composite hydrogel exhibited shear-thinning properties and increased elastic modulus.
• The hydrogel was cytocompatible with Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC).
• In vitro and in vivo studies showed rapid blood clot formation and reduced blood loss with Ch-nWH compared to chitosan alone.

Conclusions:

• Incorporation of nano whitlockite significantly enhances the hemostatic potential of chitosan hydrogel.
• The Ch-nWH composite hydrogel demonstrates a promising dual mechanism for rapid hemostasis.
• This novel hydrogel offers a potential solution for managing life-threatening bleeding events.