Polypyrrole-modified gelatin-based hydrogel: A dressing for intestinal perforation treatment with enhanced wound healing and anti-adhesion properties

Intestinal perforation is a serious medical emergency, and traditional surgery often causes adhesion and other complications. Innovative hydrogels improve postoperative care and rehabilitation with their anti-adhesion, antibacterial, and hemostatic properties. We have developed an advanced anti-adhesion hydrogel, AA-A30, composed of polypyrrole-modified gelatin (PPy-GelMA), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), and NHS-functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG-NHS). This hydrogel is specifically tailored for intestinal perforations. Upon hydrolysis, PEG-NHS forms a protective barrier that effectively prevents adhesion to surrounding normal tissues. Furthermore, the integration of PPy-GelMA significantly extends the degradation duration of the hydrogel, from 24 to 48 h. In a mouse model of intestinal perforation, the AA-A30 hydrogel demonstrated remarkable efficacy in inhibiting inflammation and preventing tissue adhesion by modulating the expression of both inflammatory and tissue adhesion-related factors, such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and the ratio of tPA to PAI-1. These findings underscore the considerable potential of AA-A30 for the therapeutic management of intestinal perforations.