Irradiation Enhances the Biomedical Functional Characteristics of Collagen Sponges: A Potential Strategy for Medical...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Materials Science
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Traditional hemostatic materials often lack efficiency and pose risks of secondary injury due to chemical crosslinking.
• Developing advanced hemostatic agents is crucial for effective bleeding control and wound management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a safe and effective hemostatic sponge using fish skin collagen, chitosan, and soluble starch.
• To evaluate the impact of gamma irradiation on the composite sponge's properties and hemostatic performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite collagen sponge via blending fish skin collagen, chitosan, and soluble starch.
• Application of cobalt-60 gamma irradiation at varying doses to the precursor solution before freeze-drying.
• Systematic evaluation of the sponge's mechanical strength, water absorption, blood cell adsorption, antibacterial properties, cytotoxicity, and in vivo hemostatic efficacy.

Main Results:

• Low-dose gamma irradiation (1-3 kGy) enhanced intermolecular crosslinking, improving mechanical properties and biostability.
• Higher doses (6 kGy) led to partial degradation of components.
• The irradiated sponges demonstrated superior water absorption, blood cell adsorption, swelling, and antibacterial activity compared to controls.
• Cytotoxicity and in vivo tests confirmed biocompatibility and effective hemostasis, outperforming a commercial hemostatic sponge.

Conclusions:

• Gamma-ray irradiation is an effective method for fabricating a synergistic collagen-based hemostatic sponge.
• The developed material exhibits enhanced absorbency, bioactivity, and antibacterial properties, indicating significant potential for rapid hemostasis and wound care.
• This irradiation-fabricated sponge offers a safer and more effective alternative to traditional chemically crosslinked hemostatic materials.