Injectable Shear-Thinning Polyampholyte Hydrogel Derived From Functionalized Hyaluronan for pH-Responsive Prevention...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Innovation
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Postoperative peritoneal adhesions (PPA) are a significant complication after abdominal surgery, leading to infertility and intestinal obstruction.
• Current biomaterial strategies for PPA prevention have limited efficacy.
• Developing advanced materials is crucial for mitigating PPA-related morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel (HA-DMAPA) for preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions.
• To evaluate the physiochemical properties, biocompatibility, and in vivo efficacy of the HA-DMAPA hydrogel.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of N,N-dimethylaminopropylamine-conjugated hyaluronic acid (HA-DMAPA).
• Characterization of hydrogel formation, mechanical stability, injectability, self-healing, and degradation kinetics.
• Assessment of cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, enzymatic degradability, and hemocompatibility.
• In vivo evaluation of adhesion prevention in rat cecum abrasion and partial hepatectomy models.

Main Results:

• HA-DMAPA rapidly formed a pH-responsive, injectable, and self-healing hydrogel under physiological conditions.
• The hydrogel exhibited minimal cytotoxicity, good hemocompatibility, and tunable degradation.
• Significant reduction in severe postoperative peritoneal adhesions was observed in vivo.
• The material demonstrated suitability for surgical applications.

Conclusions:

• The novel HA-DMAPA polyampholyte hydrogel is a safe, effective, and practical biomaterial for preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions.
• This functionalized hyaluronan derivative offers a promising clinical strategy for managing challenging surgical complications.
• Further research may explore its broader applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.