journal article·2025-12Open access

Concrete Structure Inspired 3D‐Printed Framework Mechanically Reinforced Zwitterionic Hydrogel for Efficient Postoperative Abdominal Adhesion Prevention

Jianguo Song, Xin Cao, Ruirui Zhang, Shujie Cheng, Yi Wang

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 45

Abstract

Abstract Zwitterionic hydrogels, which have been demonstrated to hold great potential in preventing abdominal adhesion, are hindered in clinical translation by their inherent mechanical fragility and structural instability. Inspired by the framework‐reinforced composite structure of concrete in building construction, herein, a 3D‐printed polymeric framework reinforced zwitterionic lubricating hydrogel (abbreviated as 3DF‐LH) is developed, which features high tensile strength internally and optimal lubrication externally. Just like the establishment process of concrete, 3DF‐LH is fabricated by infiltrating hydrogel precursor solution, that consisted of GelMA and zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA), into the pores of a 3D‐printed PCL framework (3DF), followed by UV curing. In vitro studies demonstrated that the 3DF‐LH composite exhibited superior structural stability, mechanical robustness, and biocompatibility, along with significantly suppressing fibroblast adhesion. In an SD rat cecal‐abdominal wall postoperative adhesion model, 3DF‐LH attenuated the inflammatory microenvironment, which involved the suppression of the TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway, thereby effectively inhibiting abdominal adhesion formation. These findings demonstrate that developed 3DF‐LH effectively addresses the mechanical limitations of zwitterionic hydrogels and thus holds great potential for future clinical translation.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Intestinal and Peritoneal Adhesions · Hernia repair and management · Surgical Sutures and Adhesives

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Mechanical & Energy Engineering Beijing University of Technology Beijing 100124 China

Basic Research Key Laboratory of General Surgery for Digital Medicine Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University Baoding 071000 China

Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality

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