Oxidized dextran crosslinked polysaccharide/protein/polydopamine composite cryogels with multiple hemostatic efficacies for noncompressible hemorrhage and wound healing

Noncompressible hemorrhage caused by gunshots and sharp objects leads to higher trauma mortality, and cryogels have great potential in controlling noncompressible hemorrhage applications owing to their shape -memory properties. However, the use of non-toxic crosslinkers to prepare cryogels for noncompressible hem-orrhage remains a challenge. In this study, a series of cryogels were prepared using oxidized dextran (ODex) as a biocompatible crosslinker, combined with the good hemostatic properties of chitosan (CS) and human-like collagen (HLC), and polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs) were also introduced to strengthen the shape re-covery speed of the cryogels and further enhance their hemostatic performance. The CS/HLC/ODex/PDA-NPs (CHOP) cryogels presented a highly interconnected macroporous structure, powerful water/blood absorption capacity, robust mechanical performance, and rapid water/blood-triggered shape recovery. In vitro coagulation and coagulation mechanism tests showed that CHOP exhibited strong procoagulant ability, high adhesion to blood cells and fibrinogen, and the capacity to activate platelets and intrinsic pathways. In vivo hemostatic tests indicated that CHOP could effectively shorten the bleeding time and reduce the bleeding volume of liver incision bleeding and liver noncompressible hemorrhage. Meanwhile, CHOP exhibited good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and could promote wound healing. These results suggest that CHOP cryogels will be a promising hemostatic dressing.

Automated summary

In this study, cryogels were prepared using oxidized dextran as a crosslinker and chitosan, human-like collagen, and polydopamine nanoparticles were incorporated to enhance the hemostatic performance. The cryogels showed a macroporous structure, high water/blood absorption capacity, robust mechanical performance, and rapid shape recovery. In vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated strong procoagulant ability and effectiveness in reducing bleeding time and volume. The cryogels also exhibited good biocompatibility and biodegradability.