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  4. Hydrogel-based treatments for spinal cord injuries

Hydrogel-based treatments for spinal cord injuries

Heliyon, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19933 · Published: September 7, 2023

Spinal Cord InjuryBiomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by damage resulting in dysfunction of the spinal cord. Hydrogels are common biomaterials that play an important role in the treatment of SCI. Hydrogels are biocompatible, and some have electrical conductivity that are compatible with spinal cord tissues. Hydrogels have a high drug-carrying capacity, allowing them to be used for SCI treatment through the loading of various types of active substances, drugs, or cells. The development of biomaterials opens up new possibilities and options for the treatment of SCI. Thus, our findings will inspire scholars in related fields and promote the development of hydrogel therapy for SCI.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
Not specified
Evidence Level
Review article

Key Findings

  • 1
    Hydrogels can be crosslinked using various methods, including physical, and chemical crosslinking. The mode of cross-linking affects the mechanical and chemical properties of the hydrogels, and selecting the most appropriate method is an important part of hydrogel design.
  • 2
    Different processing methods give rise to biomaterials with different properties for select applications including 3D printing, injectable hydrogels, microspheres, electro­spinning, and sponge scaffolds.
  • 3
    SCI treatments can be divided into bioactive factor therapy, stem cell therapy, drug therapy, exosomes, and nanozymes.

Research Summary

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by damage resulting in dysfunction of the spinal cord. Hydrogels are common biomaterials that play an important role in the treatment of SCI. We first discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of the human spinal cord and briefly discuss SCI and its treatment. Then, we describe different treatment strategies for SCI. Finally, we analyze the future ap­plications and limitations of hydrogels for SCI. The development of biomaterials opens up new possibilities and options for the treatment of SCI.

Practical Implications

Hydrogel Selection

Selecting the most appropriate crosslinking method is critical in hydrogel design for SCI treatment, influencing the mechanical and chemical properties of the hydrogel.

Treatment Strategies

SCI treatments encompass bioactive factor therapy, stem cell therapy, drug therapy, exosomes, and nanozymes, offering diverse approaches to spinal cord repair.

Biomaterial Processing

Various processing methods, including 3D printing, injectable hydrogels, microspheres, electrospinning, and sponge scaffolds, yield biomaterials with unique properties for specific SCI treatment applications.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Limited efficacy of oral and intravenous administration of drugs at the site of SCI.
  • 2
    Swelling of the hydrogel may lead to compression of normal spinal cord tissues or even increase intracranial pressure.
  • 3
    Most previous research has focused on animal models and determining whether their findings can be applied to humans.

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