GRGDS-functionalized chitosan nanoparticles as a potential intravenous hemostat for traumatic hemorrhage control in an animal model

Hemostats , which are used for immediate intervention during internal hemorrhage in order to reduce resulting mortality and morbidity, are relatively rare. Here, we describe novel intravenous nanoparticles (CPG-NPs-2000) with chitosan succinate (CSS) as cores, polyethylene glycol (PEG-2000) as spacers and a glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-serine (GRGDS) peptide as targeted, active hemostatic motifs. CPG-NPs-2000 displayed significant hemostatic efficacy, compared to the saline control, CSS nanoparticles, and tranexamic acid in liver trauma rat models. Further studies have demonstrated that CPG-NPs-2000 are effectively cleared from organs and blood, within 2 and 48 h, respectively. In addition, administration of CPG-NPs-2000 does not affect clotting function under normal physiological conditions , indicating their potential safety in vivo . CPG-NPs-2000 exhibit excellent thermal stability , good solubility, and redistribution ability, in addition to being low cost. These characteristics indicate that CPG-NPs-2000 may have strong potential as effective intravenous hemostats for treating severe internal bleeding.