Poly(glycerol succinate) hydrogel promotes spinal cord repair by regulating bio-energetic activity in severe injury

Materials Today Bio, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101624 · Published: February 28, 2025

Simple Explanation

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major clinical challenge with limited treatments available. Current treatments are limited to surgical interventions and rehabilitative care. This study introduces an approach to protect mitochondria—a pivotal factor in SCI pathogenesis—through the use of poly(glycerol succinate)-based hydrogel. The APPGS hydrogel represents a significant advancement with substantial potential for clinical application in SCI therapy, offering a new avenue for addressing the complex challenges of SCI management.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (250–300 g)

Evidence Level

Level 2: In vivo and in vitro assays

Key Findings

1
The APPGS hydrogel was successfully prepared and characterized, exhibiting suitable mechanical, physical, and chemical properties for biomedical applications.
2
In vitro studies showed that APPGS can increase the survival rate of PC12 cells under tBHP conditions and reduce apoptosis, suggesting protective effects against cell death.
3
In vivo experiments demonstrated that APPGS treatment significantly improved locomotor function, neural conduction, and gait regularity in rats with SCI.

Research Summary

The study introduces a novel acrylated PEGylated poly(glycerol succinate) (APPGS) hydrogel for treating spinal cord injury (SCI) by targeting mitochondrial function. APPGS hydrogel exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, controlled degradation, and improved cell viability under stress conditions in vitro. In vivo results showed that APPGS treatment led to significant improvements in locomotor function, reduced glial scar formation, and enhanced axonal regeneration and myelination.

Practical Implications

Clinical Translation

The APPGS hydrogel has potential for clinical application in SCI therapy due to its biocompatibility, ease of synthesis, and efficacy in promoting tissue repair.

Drug Delivery System

The hydrogel can serve as a drug delivery system, offering controlled release of therapeutic agents to the injured spinal cord.

Regenerative Medicine

The findings contribute to the advancement of regenerative medicine by demonstrating the potential of biomaterials in promoting functional recovery after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study primarily focused on the acute phase of SCI; long-term effects of APPGS need further investigation.
2
The study used a rat model; the applicability of these findings to humans requires further research.
3
The exact mechanisms by which APPGS regulates mitochondrial function and promotes tissue repair need further elucidation.

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