Preparation and characterization of a new gellan gum and sulphated hyaluronic acid hydrogel designed for epidural scar prevention

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2011 Feb;22(2):263-71. doi: 10.1007/s10856-010-4217-z. Epub 2011 Jan 8.

Abstract

Postsurgical adhesions are a common problem in clinical practice, causing nerve compression, pain and discomfort. A new hydrogel based on gellan gum and sulphated hyaluronic acid was synthesized, with the aim to create an effective barrier for epidural scar formation. Physico-chemical properties of the gel were analyzed, and preliminary biocompatibility data (i.e. cytotoxicity) have been collected in view of its potential clinical use. The characterization of the new material demonstrated that the hydrogel, due to its high-viscosity, could effectively act as a barrier with a long in situ residence time. In addition, the hydrogel can be easily extruded from a syringe and its structure exhibits excellent stabilizing properties. Furthermore, biological assays showed that this gel is suitable for further preclinical development.

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Adhesiveness
  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biopolymers / chemistry
  • Cicatrix / drug therapy*
  • Epidural Space / surgery*
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry*
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Mice
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / chemistry*
  • Rheology
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / methods
  • Sulfur / chemistry*
  • Syringes

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Biopolymers
  • Hydrogels
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial
  • Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
  • Sulfur
  • gellan gum
  • Hyaluronic Acid