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Development of a New Formulation Based on In Situ Photopolymerized Polymer for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury.

Authors :
Novais GB
Dos Santos S
Santana RJR
Filho RNP
Cunha JLS
Lima BS
Araújo AAS
Severino P
Júnior RLCA
Cardoso JC
Souto EB
Gomes MZ
Source :
Polymers [Polymers (Basel)] 2021 Dec 07; Vol. 13 (24). Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Dec 07.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) promotes a cascade of inflammatory events that are responsible for neuronal death and glial scar formation at the site of the injury, hindering tissue neuroregeneration. Among the main approaches for the treatment of SCI, the use of biomaterials, especially gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), has been proposed because it is biocompatible, has excellent mechanical properties, favoring cell adhesion and proliferation. In addition, it can act as a carrier of anti-inflammatory drugs, preventing the formation of glial scars. The present work presents the development and in situ application of a light-curing formulation based on GelMA containing a natural extract rich in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective substances (hydroalcoholic extract of red propolis-HERP) in an experimental model of SCI in rats. The formulations were prepared and characterized by time of UV exposition, FTIR, swelling and degradation. The hydrogels containing 1 mg/mL of HERP were obtained by the exposure to UV radiation of 2 μL of the formulation for 60 s. The locomotor evaluation of the animals was performed by the scale (BBB) and demonstrated that after 3 and 7 days of the injury, the GelMA-HERP group (BBB = 5 and 7) presented greater recovery compared to the GelMA group (BBB = 4 and 5). Regarding the inflammatory process, using histomorphological techniques, there was an inflammation reduction in the groups treated with GelMA and GelMA-HERP, with decreases of cavitation in the injury site. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the use of GelMA and GelMA-HERP hydrogel formulations is a promising strategy for the treatment of SCI when applied in situ, as soon as possible after the injury, improving the clinical and inflammatory conditions of the treated animals.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2073-4360
Volume :
13
Issue :
24
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Polymers
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34960825
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244274