Fish Gelatin-Based Absorbable Dural Sealant with Anti-inflammatory Properties

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage from the dura mater during craniotomy is a common complication, which is associated with infection, meningitis, pneumocephalus, and delayed wound healing. In the present study, we developed an absorbable fish gelatin-based anti-inflammatory sealant for dura mater sealing to prevent CSF leakage. Gelatin derived from Alaska pollock (ApGltn) was modified with α-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, and cross-linked with a poly(ethylene glycol)-based cross-linker to develop ALA-ApGltn sealant (ALA-Seal). ALA-Seal demonstrated a higher storage modulus and tangent delta (tan δ) compared with those of the original ApGltn sealant (Org-Seal). The swelling ratio of ALA-Seal was markedly lower than that of DuraSeal, a commercially available dural sealant. Ex vivo burst strength measurements using porcine dura mater indicated that there was no significant difference between DuraSeal and ALA-Seal, despite ALA-Seal having an order of magnitude lower storage modulus. The anti-inflammatory properties of ALA-Seal, evaluated using brain microglial cells, were considerably higher than those of DuraSeal and Org-Seal, with a minimal adverse effect on cell viability. Therefore, compared to DuraSeal, ALA-Seal is a potential dural sealant with a lower swelling ratio, similar burst strength, and higher anti-inflammatory properties, which may prevent CSF leakage.

Dural Reconstruction Materials for the Repairing of Spinal Neoplastic Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks

“…reported a novel fish collagen scaffold used in the rabbit dural defect model and demonstrated its efficacy in preventing CSF leakage and facilitating the growth of fibroblasts as well as enhancing tissue regeneration and healing . A fish gelatin-based absorbable dural sealant, derived from Alaska pollock and modified with α-linolenic acid, was used in the porcine dura mater model, and the sealant displayed a higher anti-inflammatory property compared with DuraSeal and a lower swelling ratio and similar burst strength to prevent CSF leakage . Similarly, alginate as a dural patch demonstrated excellent sealing properties in many studies, and as a single material, there is less hassle involved than suturing a patch around the probe and sealing with fibrin glue or similar material .…”