Injectable thermogelling bioadhesive chitosan-based hydrogels for efficient hemostasis.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Injectable hemostatic agents are crucial for managing severe bleeding, especially from noncompressible or irregularly shaped wounds.
• Existing chitosan-based hydrogels require improvement in gelation, tissue adhesion, and hemostatic efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an enhanced injectable thermogelling chitosan/glycerophosphate hydrogel with improved hemostatic properties.
• To investigate the role of dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA) in modifying hydrogel characteristics and performance.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of chitosan/glycerophosphate hydrogels incorporating dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA).
• Characterization of gelation properties, internal network structure, and tissue adhesive strength.
• In vitro assessment of whole blood coagulation time.
• In vivo evaluation of hemostasis time and blood loss in rat models of hepatic hemorrhage and tail amputation.

Main Results:

• DHCA incorporation significantly reduced gelation time (by >2 times) at 37°C and increased hydrogel internal network structure.
• Tissue adhesive strength was more than doubled compared to the non-composite hydrogel.
• Significant reduction in whole blood coagulation time in vitro and hemostasis time and blood loss in vivo was observed.
• The developed hydrogels demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, with no adverse effects on cell viability, blood components, biodegradability, or significant inflammation.

Conclusions:

• The DHCA-modified chitosan hydrogel is a promising injectable hemostatic agent for severe bleeding.
• Noncovalent supramolecular interactions offer a facile approach to enhance thermogelling and bioadhesion of chitosan-based hydrogels.
• The biocompatibility and efficacy support its potential for clinical translation in wound healing and trauma management.