A hemoadhican-based sponge with anti-heparin interference for treating uncontrollable massive hemorrhage

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Hemostasis Research
• Wound Healing Technologies

Background:

• Hemoadhican (HD), an exopolysaccharide, exhibits significant hemostatic properties due to its branched structure.
• Existing hemostatic agents often require cross-linking agents, adding complexity to their preparation and application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, cross-linking-free hemostatic sponge using Hemoadhican (HD).
• To evaluate the hemostatic efficacy and biosafety of the HD-based sponge in preclinical models.

Main Methods:

• Ultrasonic dissolution and freeze-drying were employed to prepare the HD hemostatic sponge.
• The sponge's ability to form an adhesive mud via hydrogen bonding upon blood contact was investigated.
• Hemostatic performance was compared against gauze and gelatin sponges in rat, rabbit, mouse, and pig models, including heparin-induced hemorrhage.

Main Results:

• The HD sponge spontaneously cross-linked with blood via hydrogen bonds within 3 seconds, forming a pressure-resistant barrier.
• The sponge-mud mixture demonstrated effective wound sealing through physical barrier formation and hydrophobic repulsion of blood.
• Topological entanglement of HD's brush-like structure enhanced wet adhesion to tissues.
• HD sponges outperformed gauze and gelatin sponges in various animal models, showing excellent hemostasis even in anticoagulated subjects.
• In vivo experiments confirmed the excellent biosafety of the HD sponge.

Conclusions:

• The HD sponge is a safe and highly effective rapid hemostatic material.
• Its unique properties, including spontaneous cross-linking and enhanced adhesion, make it a promising alternative for clinical hemostatic applications.