Development of a Supramolecular Hydrogel for Intraperitoneal Injections

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Intraperitoneal drug administration faces challenges due to rapid drug clearance, limiting therapeutic efficacy.
• Developing effective drug delivery vehicles is crucial for enhancing local treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a pH-sensitive supramolecular hydrogel for improved intraperitoneal drug retention.
• To assess the safety, feasibility, and tissue compatibility of the hydrogel in preclinical models.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of a pH-sensitive supramolecular hydrogel with optimized properties.
• In vitro characterization of hydrogel viscosity at different pH levels.
• Postmortem and in vivo assessments in rats to evaluate hydrogel distribution, safety, and tissue response over 14 and 28 days.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel formulation exhibited a constant viscosity of 0.1 Pa·s at pH ≥ 9.
• Postmortem analysis showed uniform coverage of peritoneal surfaces.
• In vivo studies revealed no significant adverse effects, weight loss, or organ damage in rats; vacuolated macrophages indicated physiological degradation.

Conclusions:

• The developed supramolecular hydrogel is safe and suitable for intraperitoneal drug delivery.
• The hydrogel demonstrates excellent tissue compatibility and undergoes physiological degradation in vivo.
• This technology holds promise for enhancing the efficacy of localized intraperitoneal therapies.