Fine-Tuning the Endcap Chemistry of Acrylated Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Based Hydrogels for Efficient Burn Wound Exudate Management.
Manon MinsartNicolas DerooseLaurens ParmentierSandra Van VlierbergheArn MignonPeter DubruelPublished in: Macromolecular bioscience (2022)
Most commercial dressings with moderate to high exudate uptake capacities are mechanically weaker and/or require a secondary dressing. The current research article focuses on the development of hydrogel-based wound dressings combining mechanical strength with high exudate absorption capacities using acrylate-endcapped urethane-based precursors (AUPs). AUPs with varying poly(ethylene glycol) backbone molar masses (10 and 20 kg mol -1 ) and endcap chemistries are successfully synthesized in toluene, subsequently processed into UV-cured hydrogel sheets and are benchmarked against several commercial wound dressings (Hydrosorb, Kaltostat, and Mepilex Ag). The AUP materials show high gel fractions (>90%) together with strong swelling degrees in water, phosphate buffered saline and simulated wound fluid (12.7-19.6 g g -1 ), as well as tunable mechanical properties (e.g., Young's modulus: 0.026-0.061 MPa). The AUPs have significantly (p < 0.05) higher swelling degrees than the tested commercial dressings, while also being mechanically resistant. The elasticity of the synthesized materials leads to an increased resistance against fatigue. The di- and hexa-acrylated AUPs show excellent in vitro biocompatibility against human foreskin fibroblasts, as evidenced by indirect MTS assays and live/dead cell assays. In conclusion, the processed AUP materials demonstrate high potential for wound healing application and can even compete with commercially available dressings.
Keyphrases
- wound healing
- drug delivery
- hyaluronic acid
- high throughput
- high intensity
- single cell
- computed tomography
- quantum dots
- surgical site infection
- stem cells
- contrast enhanced
- magnetic resonance imaging
- physical activity
- staphylococcus aureus
- bone marrow
- cell therapy
- human health
- highly efficient
- sleep quality
- candida albicans