The Use of Hydrogel-Based Materials for Radioprotection
Yang Li,
Han Liu,
Yaqun Ding,
Wanyu Li,
Yuansong Zhang,
Shenglin Luo,
Qiang Xiang
Affiliations
Yang Li
Center of emergency, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
Han Liu
Center of emergency, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
Yaqun Ding
Center of emergency, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
Wanyu Li
Institute of Combined Injury, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
Yuansong Zhang
Center of emergency, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
Shenglin Luo
Institute of Combined Injury, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
Qiang Xiang
Center of emergency, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
Major causes of the radiation-induced disease include nuclear accidents, war-related nuclear explosions, and clinical radiotherapy. While certain radioprotective drug or bioactive compounds have been utilized to protect against radiation-induced damage in preclinical and clinical settings, these strategies are hampered by poor efficacy and limited utilization. Hydrogel-based materials are effective carriers capable of enhancing the bioavailability of compounds loaded therein. As they exhibit tunable performance and excellent biocompatibility, hydrogels represent promising tools for the design of novel radioprotective therapeutic strategies. This review provides an overview of common approaches to radioprotective hydrogel preparation, followed by a discussion of the pathogenesis of radiation-induced disease and the current states of research focused on using hydrogels to protect against these diseases. These findings ultimately provide a foundation for discussions of the challenges and future prospects associated with the use of radioprotective hydrogels.
