Multifunctional hydrogels loaded with tellurium nanozyme for spinal cord injury repair

Materials Today Bio, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101339 · Published: November 12, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries lead to significant neurological issues because they disrupt the pathways that nerves use to communicate. This study explores a new method using hydrogels, which are like supportive scaffolds, to help the spinal cord heal itself. The hydrogel is made from a mix of materials, including lipoic acid and dopamine, and is designed to stick well to tissues. It is also loaded with methylcobalamin, which helps nerves regenerate, and tellurium nanoenzymes, which reduce harmful oxidative stress and inflammation. The results showed that this special hydrogel could effectively repair spinal cord injuries by reducing inflammation and promoting nerve regeneration. This suggests it could be a promising new way to treat this type of injury.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

Eight-week-old female ICR mice

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The LaD/Me/Te-h hydrogel demonstrated superior radical scavenging abilities compared to La-h and LaD/Me-h groups, attributed to antioxidant polyphenol groups and Te nanoparticles.
2
The LaD/Me/Te-h hydrogel showed a significant reduction in neuronal apoptosis after SCI, leading to decreased neuronal apoptosis and improved hind limb motor function in SCI mice.
3
Histological analyses showed that the LaD/Me/Te-h group exhibited the best preservation of myelin and a significant increase in Nissl bodies compared to other groups after SCI.

Research Summary

This study introduces a novel poly(lipoic acid)/poly(dopamine) adhesive hydrogel loaded with methylcobalamin and tellurium nanoenzymes (LaD/Me/Te-h) for spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. The LaD/Me/Te-h hydrogel effectively mitigated H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in Neuro-2a cells, demonstrating its neuroprotective effects. In vivo studies using a SCI mouse model showed that LaD/Me/Te-h promoted functional recovery, nerve regeneration, increased superoxide dismutase activity, and reduced neuronal apoptosis. Histological analyses (H&E, LFB, and Nissl staining) further confirmed the neuroprotective effects of LaD/Me/Te-h in SCI mice, indicating its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

The multifunctional nano-enzymatic hydrogel system presents a promising platform for nerve regeneration and functional improvement in spinal cord injury.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory

The hydrogel's ability to scavenge ROS and reduce inflammation could be beneficial in other conditions characterized by oxidative stress and inflammation.

Drug Delivery System

The hydrogel can act as an effective carrier for delivering therapeutic agents to the site of injury, maximizing their impact and minimizing systemic side effects.

Study Limitations

1
Long-term effects of the hydrogel on spinal cord tissue need further investigation.
2
The study was conducted on mice, and the results may not directly translate to humans.
3
The specific mechanisms by which the hydrogel promotes nerve regeneration require further elucidation.

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