Hyaluronic Acid-Based Injectable Dual-Network Hydrogel for 6'-Sialyllactose Mimetic Peptide Delivery and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Brachial plexus root avulsion (BPRA) causes significant motor neuron loss and irreversible dysfunction.
• Current surgical interventions for BPRA often yield poor outcomes due to slow axonal regeneration.
• There is a critical need for strategies to protect motor neurons and enhance recovery after BPRA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an injectable dual-network hydrogel (HGα) to create a neuroprotective microenvironment.
• To evaluate the efficacy of HGα in reducing motor neuron death and improving motor function in a rat BPRA model.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of HGα hydrogel via Zn2+-induced self-assembly and photocrosslinking.
• In vitro assessment of injectability, tissue adhesiveness, and antioxidant capacity.
• In vivo evaluation in a rat BPRA model, assessing motor function, nerve regeneration, and tissue preservation.

Main Results:

• HGα hydrogel demonstrated favorable injectability, tissue adhesion, and potent antioxidant properties.
• In the rat BPRA model, HGα treatment significantly improved forelimb motor function.
• HGα preserved spinal motor neurons, promoted nerve remyelination, and attenuated muscle atrophy.

Conclusions:

• The injectable HGα composite hydrogel is a promising strategy for mitigating motor neuron loss and dysfunction following BPRA.
• HGα offers a potential therapeutic approach to improve clinical outcomes and restore motor function in patients with brachial plexus injuries.