ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As the surgical treatment for intestinal fistulas nowadays needs to be improved, we are seeking a new kind of artificially synthesized hydrogel to replace fibrin gels as the sealing gel, which is imperative for both economic and social benefits.OBJECTIVE: To prepare a degradable antibacterial composite hydrogel and to detect the in vitro biological properties. METHODS: In this study, we combined soluble chitosan (S-Cts) with oxidized alginate (O-Alg) to prepare the injectable and degradable hydrogel under Schiff base reaction. Besides, nanosilver (nano-Ag) particles were added to obtain S-Cts/O-Alg/nano-Ag composite hydrogel. Gelation time, microstructure, swelling, degradation, and antibacterial properties of the composite hydrogel were observed and detected in simulated physiological environment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The closer constituent contents of water-soluble chitosan and sodium alginate indicate the shorter gelation time, and the time could be controlled within the range of surgery. The variation in the constituent content of the two components can affect the hydrogel microstructure. The higher constituent content of water-soluble chitosan implicates the denser network of the hydrogel. The composite hydrogel has excellent swelling properties, and it degrades faster in the simulated intestinal fluid containing trypsin than in the PBS. Moreover, adding nanosilver particles can bring certain antibacterial properties. This hydrogel has better biocompatibility, biodegradability and antibacterial ability than natural macromolecules, and has certain research value and application prospect.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As the surgical treatment for intestinal fistulas nowadays needs to be improved, we are seeking a new kind of artificially synthesized hydrogel to replace fibrin gels as the sealing gel, which is imperative for both economic and social benefits.OBJECTIVE: To prepare a degradable antibacterial composite hydrogel and to detect the in vitro biological properties. METHODS: In this study, we combined soluble chitosan (S-Cts) with oxidized alginate (O-Alg) to prepare the injectable and degradable hydrogel under Schiff base reaction. Besides, nanosilver (nano-Ag) particles were added to obtain S-Cts/O-Alg/nano-Ag composite hydrogel. Gelation time, microstructure, swelling, degradation, and antibacterial properties of the composite hydrogel were observed and detected in simulated physiological environment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The closer constituent contents of water-soluble chitosan and sodium alginate indicate the shorter gelation time, and the time could be controlled within the range of surgery. The variation in the constituent content of the two components can affect the hydrogel microstructure. The higher constituent content of water-soluble chitosan implicates the denser network of the hydrogel. The composite hydrogel has excellent swelling properties, and it degrades faster in the simulated intestinal fluid containing trypsin than in the PBS. Moreover, adding nanosilver particles can bring certain antibacterial properties. This hydrogel has better biocompatibility, biodegradability and antibacterial ability than natural macromolecules, and has certain research value and application prospect.