Stopping bleeding from parenchymal organs remains a challenge for doctors during surgery. An effective method of obtaining reliable hemostasis is the use of topical hemostatic materials such as biomaterials obtained from raw materials of biological origin.
Our research group investigated chitosan (Ch) – a biomaterial made from chitinous crab shells. We designed a study to assess the hemostatic performance, biocompatibility, and degradation of newly produced Ch-polyethylene oxide (PEO)-copolymer prepared by electrospinning compared to Ch-sponge. Electrospinning is a modern method of obtaining 3D materials for medicine and tissue engineering.
Scanning electron microscopy image of ChSp (a) with analysis of pore area (b), fiber diameter
We identified that a three-dimensional network of Ch-PEO nanofibers has good porosity and is a suitable extracellular matrix for organ regeneration. The new Ch-PEO electrospinning membrane demonstrated high biocompatibility and sufficient in vitro hemostatic blood interaction in our liver-bleeding experiment in rats. There were no cases of re-bleeding after obtaining reliable hemostasis. The PEO electrospinning membrane completely degrades and can be safely left in the wound. Ch-PEO demonstrated a lower inflammatory reaction both in early and late postoperative periods and had lower immunogenicity with appropriate tissue response. Nanoscale modification of chitosan can significantly improve its bioactive properties and host tissue regeneration.
Procedure of punch biopsy liver trauma (a), hemostatic application (b) and liver after hemostasis procedure (c)
The findings of our study can be used to develop effective and cheap multi-dimensional chitosan-based nanofibers for parenchymal bleeding application.
This work was supported by grants from the National Research Fund of Ukraine (2020.02/0223), H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (NanoSurf 777926) and a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (0120U101972).
-Deineka Volodymyr, Ph.D student, Biomedical Research Center, Medical Institute, Sumy State University
Volodymyr's article in MDPI Biomedicines:
Hemostatic and Tissue Regeneration Performance of Novel Electrospun Chitosan-Based Materials (Published: 21 May 2021)