Photocrosslinkable Dexamethasone-Loaded GelMA Hydrogel for Peripheral Nerve Injury: Mechanical Behaviour and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Peripheral nerve adhesion post-surgery impedes nerve regeneration, causing pain and dysfunction.
• Current treatments for nerve injury lack effective adhesion prevention and inflammation control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a photocrosslinkable methacrylated gelatin (GelMA)-based hydrogel membrane for preventing nerve adhesion and inflammation.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the dexamethasone-releasing GelMA hydrogel (Dexa-GelMA) in a rat sciatic nerve injury model.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized GelMA hydrogel and confirmed its stable crosslinked network using FT-IR and rheology.
• Assessed hydrogel cytocompatibility with neuronal and fibroblast cell lines.
• Implanted Dexa-GelMA hydrogel in a rat sciatic nerve injury model and analyzed perineural adhesion, inflammation, and macrophage activation (ED-1 expression).

Main Results:

• GelMA and Dexa-GelMA hydrogels demonstrated non-cytotoxicity.
• Dexa-GelMA implantation significantly reduced perineural adhesion and inflammation in the rat model.
• Western blot analysis revealed an approximately 80% reduction in ED-1 expression, indicating suppressed macrophage activation.

Conclusions:

• The Dexa-GelMA hydrogel serves as a biocompatible platform combining physical barrier and anti-inflammatory drug delivery.
• This hydrogel shows significant potential for preventing postoperative nerve adhesion and managing early inflammatory responses in peripheral nerve injuries.