Bioorthogonally Cross-Linked Injectable PEG Hydrogel with Robust Hemostatic and Antibacterial Properties.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Hemostasis Research
• Bioorthogonal Chemistry

Background:

• Achieving rapid hemostasis in deep, irregular wounds is clinically critical.
• Existing hemostatic agents often have limitations in efficacy and application.
• Bioorthogonal chemistry offers precise conjugation strategies for advanced biomaterials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an injectable hemostatic hydrogel using bioorthogonal conjugation.
• To incorporate thrombin (TMB) as the active hemostatic agent and 4ARM-PEG-N3 as a crosslinker.
• To evaluate the hemostatic and antibacterial properties of the developed hydrogel.

Main Methods:

• An injectable hydrogel (TMB-PEG) was synthesized via azide-alkyne click chemistry.
• Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize hydrogel microstructure.
• In vivo puncture bleeding wound models were employed to assess hemostasis.
• Antibacterial efficacy was tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Main Results:

• The TMB-PEG hydrogel demonstrated rapid hemostasis in 25 s with minimal blood loss (1.9 ± 1.3 mg).
• Hemostatic performance significantly outperformed the control group and other common hemostatic materials.
• The hydrogel exhibited a sheet-like, interwoven fibrous structure (approx. 100 nm diameter).
• Conjugation of cephalosporin antibiotics resulted in >99% antibacterial efficacy against both bacterial types.

Conclusions:

• The developed injectable TMB-PEG hydrogel provides rapid and effective hemostasis for deep wounds.
• Bioorthogonal conjugation is a viable strategy for creating advanced hemostatic biomaterials.
• The integrated antibacterial property enhances the therapeutic potential of the hemostatic hydrogel.