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Degradable Bioadhesives Based on Star PEG-PLA Hydrogels for Soft Tissue Applications
Mathilde Grosjean1, Edouard Girard2,3,4, Audrey Bethry1
1Polymers for Health and Biomaterials, IBMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier34095, France.
Biomacromolecules
|December 16, 2022
Summary
New degradable bioadhesives based on PEG-PLA star-shaped hydrogels show promise for wound closure. These novel hydrogels exhibit adhesion strength comparable to commercial glues, with low cytotoxicity for potential surgical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Traditional wound closure methods like suturing and stapling have limitations.
- Current commercial biomedical adhesives, such as fibrin and cyanoacrylate glues, also present drawbacks.
- There is a need for advanced, degradable tissue adhesives with improved properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize novel degradable bioadhesives based on polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid (PEG-PLA) star-shaped hydrogels.
- To investigate the adhesion mechanisms and properties of these novel hydrogels.
- To evaluate the potential of these bioadhesives as alternatives to current wound closure methods.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of functional copolymers (acrylate, methacrylate, catechol) for hydrogel design.
- Evaluation of adhesion strength on a gelatin model and comparison with fibrin and cyanoacrylate.
- Testing of bioadhesives on mouse skin and human cadaveric colonic tissue.
- Assessment of cytotoxicity to confirm biocompatibility.
Main Results:
- Acrylate and methacrylate hydrogels achieved adhesion strengths of 343 kPa and 293 kPa, respectively, on a gelatin model, nearing cyanoacrylate performance (332 kPa).
- Catechol-based systems showed lower adhesion (11-19 kPa) compared to fibrin glue (7 kPa) on the gelatin model.
- On mouse skin, acrylate and methacrylate gels demonstrated adhesion strengths of 15-30 kPa, comparable to commercial glues, but adhesion was poor on colonic tissue.
- Low levels of cytotoxicity were observed for the developed hydrogels.
Conclusions:
- A family of degradable bioadhesives based on PEG-PLA star-shaped hydrogels was successfully designed.
- These novel hydrogels exhibit adhesion strength within the range of commercial surgical glues.
- The low cytotoxicity and promising adhesion properties suggest potential for these hydrogels in surgical adhesive applications.
