Human Hair Keratin Hydrogels Alleviate Rebleeding after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in a Rat Model

Abstract

Surgery is an important therapeutic strategy for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the clinic and is theoretically beneficial for the outcome of ICH by decreasing hematoma, reducing nervous tissue damage, and removing harmful chemicals. However, the outcome of ICH surgery is always unsatisfactory due to postoperative rebleeding. We hypothesized that the injection of hemostatic agents in situ after aspiration surgery could immediately activate hemostasis once rebleeding occurs. Therefore, keratin hydrogels (K-gels) were easily prepared as a hemostatic material via a rehydration method and had a porous structure. Collagenase was injected into the basal lamina to mimic ICH rebleeding, and the K-gels were then injected into the same injured site after 2 h for hemostatic therapy. The hematoma volume was significantly reduced by K-gel treatment, indicating that in situ infusion of the K-gels inhibited hematoma enlargement when rebleeding occurred. Moreover, brain damage, including cell apoptosis, neuroinflammatory reactions, and neurological deficits, was also relieved after K-gel treatment. These results suggested that in situ injection of the K-gels into the hematoma area after ICH surgery improves the therapeutic outcome by stopping postoperative rebleeding. K-gels have great potential for clinical hemostatic application because of their excellent hemostatic properties and biocompatibility.

Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network of Hyaluronan and Chitosan Self-Healing Hydrogels for Central Nervous System Repair

“…Numerous natural and synthetic biomaterials, such as fibrin, gelatin, HA, , HA and methylcellulose (HAMC), − silk fibroin, , keratin, − RGD-containing elastin-like polypeptide (REP), Pluronic F127, and poly­( N -isopropylacrylamide), have been exploited to build hydrogel platforms for CNS repair. These hydrogels were designed with injectability, thermo-sensitivity, or composite formula.…”

“…These hydrogels were designed with injectability, thermo-sensitivity, or composite formula. Preparation of the HAMC hydrogel started from blending HA and MC solutions, where the hydrogel underwent a sol–gel transition after an increase of temperature based on physical interactions. , The keratin hydrogels were produced from keratin solutions through a long oxidation process by covalent cross-linking. , In this study, CS hydrogels were readily and rapidly prepared by mixing glycol chitosan and DF-PEG solutions via dynamic imine bonds. Moreover, CS hydrogels exhibited the increase of stiffness with the temperature raised from 25 to 37 °C .…”

Reactive oxygen species induced by uric acid promote NRK‑52E cell apoptosis through the NEK7‑NLRP3 signaling pathway

“…High apoptosis rates have been observed in the renal tubular epithelial cells of rats with UA-induced kidney disease ( 26 ). Increasing evidence shows that apoptosis could serve as a therapeutic paradigm in hyperuricemia ( 27 ). Yang et al ( 28 ) found that renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis occurs in rats with UA-induced kidney disease and the use of the antioxidant glutathione can inhibit cell apoptosis significantly and reduce kidney damage.…”

Polymeric Hydrogel Systems as Emerging Biomaterial Platforms to Enable Hemostasis and Wound Healing

“…In an interesting work, He et al fabricated hemostatic keratin hydrogels (K-gels) via a rehydration method from human hair keratin extracts and its therapeutic effects in the treatment of ICH rebleeding was assessed in rat brain in vivo (Figure 7). [73] To prepare the K-gels at different concentrations (30,35, and 40% (w/v)), ultrapure water was used to reconstitute the lyophilized keratin powders. The homogeneous distribution was achieved through vigorously mixing the mixture by vortexing followed by stirring at 37°C to crosslink and form the gels.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [73] Copyright 2019, American Chemical Society. Reproduced with permission.…”