Microchannelled alkylated chitosan sponge to treat noncompressible hemorrhages and facilitate wound healing

Xinchen Du,Zhaojun Cheng,Le Wu,Wen Li,Yanli Bai,Hongyu Yan,Lianyong Wang,Meifeng Zhu,Deling Kong,Shilin Li,Hongjun Wang,Zhuyan Jiang

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-24972-2

Abstract

Developing an anti-infective shape-memory hemostatic sponge able to guide in situ tissue regeneration for noncompressible hemorrhages in civilian and battlefield settings remains a challenge. Here we engineer hemostatic chitosan sponges with highly interconnective microchannels by combining 3D printed microfiber leaching, freeze-drying, and superficial active modification. We demonstrate that the microchannelled alkylated chitosan sponge (MACS) exhibits the capacity for water and blood absorption, as well as rapid shape recovery. We show that compared to clinically used gauze, gelatin sponge, CELOX™, and CELOX™-gauze, the MACS provides higher pro-coagulant and hemostatic capacities in lethally normal and heparinized rat and pig liver perforation wound models. We demonstrate its anti-infective activity against S. aureus and E. coli and its promotion of liver parenchymal cell infiltration, vascularization, and tissue integration in a rat liver defect model. Overall, the MACS demonstrates promising clinical translational potential in treating lethal noncompressible hemorrhage and facilitating wound healing.

Highlights

Developing an anti-infective shape-memory hemostatic sponge able to guide in situ tissue regeneration for noncompressible hemorrhages in civilian and battlefield settings remains a challenge
The sacrificial Polylactic acid (PLA) microfiber templates were printed by a 3D printer (Fig. 1b and Supplementary Fig. 1)
After treating the wound with the microchannelled alkylated chitosan sponge (MACS)-2, a small area of bloodstain was observed on the surface of the filter paper beneath the liver, while a large area of bloodstain was sighted in the gauze, gelatin sponge (GS), CELOXTM-G, CELOXTM, alkylated CS sponge (ACS), and MCS-2 groups

Summary

Introduction

Developing an anti-infective shape-memory hemostatic sponge able to guide in situ tissue regeneration for noncompressible hemorrhages in civilian and battlefield settings remains a challenge. The maximum water and blood absorption capacity of the MACSs was significantly higher than that of the ACS and gradually improved with an increase in the porosity (Fig. 3b–e). The MACSs absorbed more water and blood than that of the ACS at the same time point (Fig. 3b, c).

Results

Conclusion