Hydrophobic Polystyrene‐Modified Gelatin Enhances Fast Hemostasis and Tissue Regeneration in Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Hemostatic sealant is required to deal with blood loss, especially in the scenario of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which presents high rates of morbidity and disability. Hemostasis in surgery with traditional gelatin‐based sealants often leads to blood loss and other issues in brain because of the hydrophilic gelatin swelling. Herein, hydrophobic effects on the hemostasis in TBI surgery are studied by tuning the chain length of polystyrene (PS) onto methylacrylated gelatin (Gel‐MA). The hydrophobicity and hemostatic efficiency can be tuned by controlling the length of PS groups. The platelet activation of modified sealants Gel‐MA‐2P, Gel‐MA‐P, and Gel‐MA‐0.5P is as much as 17.5, 9.1, and 2.1 times higher than Gel‐MA in vitro. The hemostatic time of Gel‐MA‐2P, Gel‐MA‐P, and Gel‐MA‐0.5P groups is 2.0‐, 1.6‐, and 1.1‐folds faster than that in Gel‐MA group in TBI mice. Increased formation of fibrins and platelet aggregation can also be observed in vitro by scanning electron microscopy. Animal's mortality is lowered by 46%, neurologic deficiency is reduced by 1.5 times, and brain edema is attenuated by 10%. Protein expression is further investigated to exhibit toxic iron‐related processes caused by delayed hemostasis and activation of platelets via PI3K/PKC‐α signaling. The hydrophobic Gel‐MA has the potential in hemostatic TBI and promotes nervous system recovery in brain with the potentials in clinics.

Neurotrauma—From Injury to Repair: Clinical Perspectives, Cellular Mechanisms and Promoting Regeneration of the Injured Brain and Spinal Cord

“…Other Hydrogels [180,181,253,254], PLGA [255] and PLA [256] Collagen [181,257], CS [258], silk [259,260], decellularised ECM [227], modified gelatine [261] R-GSIK [262], electrospun nanofiber nets [263] and gene scaffolds [264] Gold nanoparticle nerve guidance conduits [265] and collagen conduits [266] Graphene oxide [267], IGF-1 delivery via nanofibrous dural substitutes [197] and ROS scavenger materials [170,171] Table 2. Cont.…”

Platelet Vesicles Synergetic with Biosynthetic Cellulose Aerogels for Ultra‐Fast Hemostasis and Wound Healing

“…[2][3][4] However, more than two million deaths per year are still attributed to uncontrollable bleeding. [5,6] For cavitary wounds, sinus tract injuries, and irregular wounds where blood loss is rapid, the hemostatic materials usually do not contact the wound bed well, leading to limited hemostatic efficacy.…”

Novel Biomaterials for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration

“…Wound repair is a dynamic process that generally consists of four overlapping but not identical phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. − During hemostasis, platelet plugs and then fibrin clots are formed. , Following tissue injury, neutrophils and monocytes are recruited to the wound, and inflammatory cells promote wound healing by engulfing bacteria to control wound infection . Subsequently, the newly formed blood vessels in the tissue can promote the proliferation of fibrous cells by transporting oxygen and nutrients. , In most lesions, excessive cellular fibrosis leads to the production of partially dysfunctional tissue, which is often referred to as scar. − The formed scar tissue is nonesthetic and may even affect the mental health of the patient.…”

“… 6 − 9 During hemostasis, platelet plugs and then fibrin clots are formed. 10 , 11 Following tissue injury, neutrophils and monocytes are recruited to the wound, and inflammatory cells promote wound healing by engulfing bacteria to control wound infection. 7 Subsequently, the newly formed blood vessels in the tissue can promote the proliferation of fibrous cells by transporting oxygen and nutrients.…”