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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Alternating Magnetic Field-Responsive Hybrid Gelatin Microgels for Controlled Drug Release
Published on: February 13, 2016
Injectable and pH-Responsive Metformin-Loaded Hydrogel for Active Inhibition of Posterior Capsular Opacification
Chao Yin1,2, Yue Zhang3,4,5, Cong Fan3,4,5
1Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Materials Interface Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
Abstract:
Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is a common complication following cataract surgery, which can lead to a significant vision loss. This study introduces a facile method for developing a metformin-derived hydrogel (HCM6) stabilized by dynamic covalent bonds among natural polymers. This hydrogel demonstrates antifibrotic properties, on-demand drug release, pH responsiveness, injectability, and self-healing capabilities. Our in vitro experiments confirmed that the HCM6 hydrogel exhibits excellent biocompatibility, inhibiting lens epithelial cell migration, and transforming growth factor-2β (TGFβ2)-induced α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in lens epithelial cells. In vivo studies conducted in a rat extracapsular lens extraction (ECLE) model revealed that HCM6 significantly suppressed PCO after 21 days of implantation with no observed pathological effects on surrounding tissues or the optic nerve. According to our experimental results, the inhibitory mechanism of PCO may be attributed to metformin's suppressive effect on lens cell migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and lens fiber formation. In summary, the long-acting, controllable, and on-demand release characteristics of the HCM6 hydrogel not only provide an effective strategy for preventing PCO but also offer new avenues for treating undesirable proliferative conditions in ophthalmology and beyond.
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04:59Author Spotlight: Enhancing Visual Outcomes in Cataract Surgery: A Novel Technique to Prevent Posterior Capsular Opacification Through IOL Rotation
Published on: July 7, 2023
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