Catechol-Functionalized Chitosan/Pluronic Hydrogels for Tissue Adhesives and Hemostatic Materials

TLDR

Chitosan/Pluronic hydrogels are envisioned for use as injectable drug depots, tissue engineering scaffolds, tissue adhesives, and antibleeding agents. The study aimed to synthesize injectable, thermosensitive chitosan/Pluronic composite hydrogels inspired by mussel adhesion for tissue adhesives and hemostatic materials. The hydrogels were formed by cross‑linking catechol‑modified chitosan with thiolated Pluronic F‑127, producing a temperature‑sensitive sol–gel transition that solidifies instantly at body temperature and physiological pH. The resulting hydrogels displayed strong adhesion to soft tissues and mucous layers and superior hemostatic performance.

Abstract

Bioinspired from adhesion behaviors of mussels, injectable and thermosensitive chitosan/Pluronic composite hydrogels were synthesized for tissue adhesives and hemostatic materials. Chitosan conjugated with multiple catechol groups in the backbone was cross-linked with terminally thiolated Pluronic F-127 triblock copolymer to produce temperature-sensitive and adhesive sol–gel transition hydrogels. A blend mixture of the catechol-conjugated chitosan and the thiolated Pluronic F-127 was a viscous solution state at room temperature but became a cross-linked gel state with instantaneous solidification at the body temperature and physiological pH. The adhesive chitosan/Pluronic injectable hydrogels with remnant catechol groups showed strong adhesiveness to soft tissues and mucous layers and also demonstrated superior hemostatic properties. These chitosan/Pluronic hydrogels are expected to be usefully exploited for injectable drug delivery depots, tissue engineering hydrogels, tissue adhesives, and antibleeding materials.