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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Clinically Translatable Injectable Hydrogel Platform for Dual Intraoperative Elevation and Postoperative Healing in
Mengdan Xu1, Wei Peng2, Guangqiu Yu2
1Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
A novel injectable hydrogel enhances endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) by improving mucosal elevation during surgery and promoting tissue repair afterward. This innovation addresses key limitations in gastrointestinal oncology treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Gastrointestinal Oncology
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Background:
- Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is crucial for early gastrointestinal neoplasms but faces challenges with injectate stability and wound healing.
- Current methods lack effective solutions for sustained submucosal lifting and optimal post-resection tissue regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multifunctional injectable hydrogel for simultaneous intraoperative mucosal elevation and postoperative tissue repair in ESD.
- To create a clinically translatable material addressing critical limitations in ESD procedures.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a hydrogel from oxidized sodium alginate and carboxymethyl chitosan, reinforced with Ca2+ for mechanical strength and hemostasis.
- Incorporated phycocyanin for visual contrast and bioactive properties.
- Evaluated hydrogel properties in vitro (biocompatibility, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hemostasis, self-repair) and in vivo (porcine stomach, large-animal ESD models).
Main Results:
- The hydrogel demonstrated tunable gelation, injectability, and self-healing, with excellent biocompatibility and therapeutic effects in vitro.
- Ex vivo and in vivo models showed sustained mucosal elevation and superior performance compared to controls.
- Accelerated mucosal regeneration with organized collagen deposition, angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and reduced inflammation and fibrosis (α-SMA) was observed.
Conclusions:
- The dual-function hydrogel platform effectively bridges surgical precision with enhanced postresection regeneration.
- This innovative material represents a significant advancement for minimally invasive gastrointestinal oncology, improving ESD outcomes.
