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Updated: Jun 25, 2025
A Novel Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury for Juvenile Rats
Published on: December 8, 2014
Microenvironment-Responsive Hydrogel Reduces Seizures After Traumatic Brain Injury in Juvenile Rats by Reducing
Zhengzhong Han1,2, Zeqi Zhao2,3, Hao Yu4
1Department of Neurosurgery, Xuzhou Children's Hospital, No. 18 Sudi North Road, Quanshan District, Xuzhou, 221002, P. R. China.
Insights
A novel hydrogel delivers berberine (BBR) past the blood-brain barrier to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI). This approach mitigates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, potentially reducing complications like post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE).
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of childhood mortality and disability.
- TBI can lead to severe complications, including post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), linked to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits systemic drug delivery for TBI treatment, hindering early intervention with agents like berberine (BBR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a microenvironment-responsive hydrogel system for targeted delivery of BBR and poly(propylene sulfide) nanoparticles (PPS60) to the TBI site.
- To investigate the efficacy of this hydrogel system in mitigating TBI-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
- To evaluate the potential of the hydrogel treatment in facilitating functional recovery and reducing seizures post-TBI.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a gelatin methacrylate (GM) hydrogel loaded with BBR and PPS60 (GM/PB).
- In situ injection of the GM/PB hydrogel directly onto brain tissue, bypassing the BBB.
- Assessment of the hydrogel's effects on oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, functional recovery, and seizure activity in TBI models.
Main Results:
- The GM/PB hydrogel successfully delivered BBR and PPS60 to the brain trauma microenvironment.
- Treatment with GM/PB hydrogel demonstrated mitigation of oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory responses.
- GM/PB hydrogel administration facilitated functional recovery and reduced seizure incidence in TBI models.
Conclusions:
- The developed GM/PB hydrogel system offers a promising strategy for overcoming BBB limitations in TBI treatment.
- Targeted delivery of BBR via the hydrogel effectively regulates neuroinflammation and reduces oxidative stress.
- This innovative approach holds potential for minimizing TBI complications and improving patient quality of life.
Abstract:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the primary cause of child mortality and disability worldwide. It can result in severe complications that significantly impact children's quality of life, including post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). An increasing number of studies suggest that TBI-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory sequelae (especially, inflammation in the hippocampus region) may lead to the development of PTE. Due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), typical systemic pharmacological therapy for TBI cannot deliver berberine (BBR) to the targeted location in the early stages of the injury, although BBR has strong anti-inflammatory properties. To break through this limitation, a microenvironment-responsive gelatin methacrylate (GM) hydrogel to deliver poly(propylene sulfide)60 (PPS60) and BBR (GM/PB) is developed for regulating neuroinflammatory reactions and removing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain trauma microenvironment through PPS60. In situ injection of the GM/PB hydrogel efficiently bypasses the BBB and is administered directly to the surface of brain tissue. In post-traumatic brain injury models, GM/PB has the potential to mitigate oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory responses, facilitate functional recovery, and lessen seizing. These findings can lead to a new treatment for brain injuries, which minimizes complications and improves the quality of life.
