Interstitial Injection of Hydrogels with High-Mechanical Conductivity Relieves Muscle Atrophy Induced by Nerve Injury

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Injectable hydrogels are crucial in tissue engineering, especially for high-stress applications requiring robust mechanical properties.
• Developing hydrogels with enhanced mechanical strength, conductivity, and biocompatibility remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create an injectable, conductive hydrogel with superior mechanical strength and tissue adhesion.
• To evaluate the efficacy of this hydrogel in alleviating muscle atrophy in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a covalently cross-linked hydrogel network using a slip-ring structure with modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) and amino β-cyclodextrin.
• Incorporated silver nanowires to enhance electrical conductivity.
• Administered the hydrogel via interstitial injection into the fascial space of rats with gastrocnemius muscle atrophy.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel demonstrated remarkable mechanical strength (500 kPa at 85% deformation) and good fatigue resistance.
• Enhanced electrical conductivity was achieved with silver nanowire addition, facilitating in vivo function.
• Interstitial injection led to significant improvements in muscle weight and tone, effectively alleviating muscle atrophy.

Conclusions:

• A simple method for preparing a conductive hydrogel with high mechanical properties was established.
• Interstitial injection of this conductive hydrogel presents a viable strategy for in vivo applications, particularly for treating muscle atrophy.