Poly(glycerol succinate) hydrogel promotes spinal cord repair by regulating bio-energetic activity in severe injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major clinical challenge, imposing a significant burden on both patients and healthcare systems. The complexity of SCI stems from its multifactorial pathogenesis, incorporating a variety of regulating factors. Despite the exploration of mechanisms of SCI pathophysiology and the development of biomedical therapies, current clinical interventions are still limited to surgical interventions and rehabilitative care. This study introduces an approach to protect mitochondria—a pivotal factor in SCI pathogenesis—through the use of poly(glycerol succinate)-based hydrogel. To regulate the process, the PEGylated poly(glycerol succinate) (PPGS), was designed and synthesized via a novel method, combined with recent findings that emphasize the roles of glycerol-based hydrogel in soft tissue regeneration. Building on these, an innovative, bioenergetically-active hydrogel, acrylated PEGylated poly(glycerol succinate) (APPGS), which improves mitochondrial function after injury, targeting SCI treatment, was developed. The evidence, supported by both in vivo and in vitro assays, affirms the therapeutic efficacy of the APPGS hydrogel in SCI contexts. The APPGS hydrogel represents a significant advancement with substantial potential for clinical application in SCI therapy, offering a new avenue for addressing the complex challenges of SCI management.