Piezoelectric Injectable Anti-Adhesive Hydrogel to Promote Endogenous Healing of Tendon Injuries
Ruizeng Luo1,2, Yujie Xiong1, Jiaxuan Li1,2
1Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101400, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|July 14, 2025
Summary
A new piezoelectric injectable anti-adhesive hydrogel (PE-IAH) promotes tendon stem cell healing and prevents adhesion after Achilles tendon rupture. This advanced hydrogel enhances functional recovery, offering a promising clinical treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Achilles tendon rupture is a common sports injury, posing clinical challenges for effective repair.
- Tendon adhesion from exogenous healing and insufficient endogenous healing by tendon stem cells impede successful tendon regeneration.
- Current treatments struggle to simultaneously address adhesion and promote intrinsic healing mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a piezoelectric injectable anti-adhesive hydrogel (PE-IAH) for enhanced Achilles tendon repair.
- To investigate the dual capability of PE-IAH in inhibiting exogenous healing (adhesion) and promoting endogenous healing.
- To assess the impact of PE-IAH on tendon stem cell behavior and overall functional recovery in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Development of a piezoelectric injectable anti-adhesive hydrogel (PE-IAH) incorporating piezoelectric short fibers.
- In vivo implantation of PE-IAH at the Achilles tendon injury site in an animal model.
- Evaluation of the hydrogel's physical barrier properties, anti-adhesive effects, and impact on inflammatory response.
- Assessment of tendon stem cell proliferation and differentiation under ultrasound excitation due to the piezoelectric effect.
- Quantification of tendon function using the Achilles Functional Index post-treatment.
Main Results:
- PE-IAH formed an effective in situ physical barrier, reducing inflammation and preventing adhesion to surrounding tissues.
- The piezoelectric components of PE-IAH, stimulated by ultrasound, significantly promoted tendon stem cell proliferation and differentiation.
- PE-IAH demonstrated accelerated endogenous healing compared to a non-piezoelectric injectable anti-adhesive hydrogel (IAH).
- Achilles tendon function was remarkably improved in the PE-IAH group (Achilles Functional Index: -15.6) compared to the IAH group (-30.6) at Day 14.
Conclusions:
- The developed PE-IAH offers a novel dual-action strategy for Achilles tendon repair by preventing adhesion and promoting endogenous healing.
- The piezoelectric effect within the hydrogel actively stimulates tendon stem cells, enhancing regenerative capacity.
- PE-IAH shows significant potential as a clinical treatment option for improving functional recovery after Achilles tendon injuries.
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