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Poly(lipoic acid)-Based Bioresorbable Antiswelling Bioadhesive for Wet/Underwater Tissue Adhesion
Xiaoyu Yang1, Miaomiao Jiang2, Zongxuan Huang3
1College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, China.
Biomacromolecules
|May 16, 2026
Summary
A new mussel-inspired bioadhesive (PLD) offers superior wet adhesion and durability for wound closure. This tough, water-strengthened adhesive shows promise as an alternative to sutures and staples.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Adhesive Technology
Background:
- Sutures and staples for wound closure require surgical skill and risk complications.
- Current tissue adhesives lack sufficient wet adhesion, biodegradability, and durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel bioadhesive inspired by mussel underwater adhesion.
- To create a durable, biocompatible, and effective wound closure material.
Main Methods:
- Coassembly of lipoic acid (LA) and a dopamine-functionalized derivative (LAD) to form the PLD bioadhesive.
- Evaluation of underwater adhesion strength, swelling properties, and biocompatibility.
- Mimicking mussel adhesion mechanisms using hydrophobic chains and adhesive groups.
Main Results:
- PLD demonstrated water-strengthened underwater adhesion, increasing from 37.06 to 50.23 kPa after 180 min water immersion.
- Exceptional anti-swelling properties with a low swelling ratio (2.07% after 72 h) ensuring durable wet adhesion.
- PLD exhibited bioresorbability, cytocompatibility, and histocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- The developed PLD bioadhesive offers robust underwater adhesion and durability.
- PLD shows significant potential as a multifunctional alternative to conventional wound closure methods.
- This mussel-inspired adhesive addresses limitations of current tissue adhesives.
