A Choline Phosphoryl-Conjugated Chitosan/Oxidized Dextran Injectable Self-Healing Hydrogel for Improved Hemostatic Efficacy
Ziran Zhu, Kaiwen Zhang, Yiwen Xian, Gang He, Zheng Pan, Hufei Wang, Chong Zhang, Decheng Wu
Abstract
The development of injectable hydrogels with good biocompatibility, self-healing, and superior hemostatic properties is highly desirable in emergency and clinical applications. Herein, we report an in situ injectable and self-healing hemostatic hydrogel based on choline phosphoryl functionalized chitosan (CS-g-CP) and oxidized dextran (ODex). The CP groups were hypothesized to accelerate hemostasis by facilitating erythrocyte adhesion and aggregation. Our results reveal that the CS-g-CP/ODex hydrogels exhibit enhanced blood clotting and erythrocyte adhesion/aggregation capacities compared to those of the CS/ODex hydrogels. The CS-g-CP50/ODex75 hydrogel presents rapid gelation time, good mechanical strength and tissue adhesiveness, satisfactory bursting pressure, and favorable biocompatibility. The hemostatic ability of the CS-g-CP50/ODex75 hydrogel was significantly improved compared to that of the CS/ODex hydrogel and commercial fibrin sealant in the rat tail amputation and liver/spleen injury models. Our study highlights the positive and synergistic effects of CP groups on hemostasis and strongly supports the CS-g-CP50/ODex75 hydrogel as a promising adhesive for hemorrhage control.