Graphene Oxide Functionalized Double-Layered Patch with Anti-Adhesion Ability for Abdominal Wall Defects

Abstract

Jian Liu,1,2,* Jinfei Hou,1,2,* Shaokai Liu,1,2 Jialun Li,1,2 Muran Zhou,1,2 Jiaming Sun,1,2 Rongrong Wang1,2 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China; 2Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Superficial Organ Reconstruction, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Rongrong Wang; Jiaming SunDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, People’s Republic of ChinaTel [phone]; Tel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Effective repair of full-thickness abdominal wall defects requires a patch with sufficient mechanical strength and anti-adhesion characteristics to avoid the formation of hernias and intra-abdominal complications such as intestinal obstruction and fistula. However, patches made from polymers or bio-derived materials may not meet these requirements and lack the bionic characteristics of the abdominal wall.Materials and Methods: In this study, we report a consecutive electrospun method for preparing a double-layer structured nanofiber membrane (GO-PCL/CS-PCL) using polycaprolactone (PCL), graphene oxide (GO) and chitosan (CS). To expand the bio-functions (angiogenesis/reducing reactive oxygen species) of the patch (GO-PCL/NAC-CS-PCL), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was loaded for the repair of full-thickness abdominal wall defects (2× 1.5cm) in rat model.Results: The double-layered patch (GO-PCL/NAC-CS-PCL) showed excellent mechanical strength and biocompatibility. After 2 months, rats treated with the patch exhibited the desired repair effect with no hernia formation, less adhesion (adhesion score: 1.50± 0.50, P< 0.001) and more collagen deposition (percentage of collagen deposition: 34.94%± 3.31%, P< 0.001).Conclusion: The double-layered nanomembranes presented in this study have good anti-hernia and anti-adhesion effects, as well as improve the microenvironment in vivo. It, therefore, holds good prospects for the repair of abdominal wall defects and provides a promising key as a postoperative anti-adhesion agent.Keywords: abdominal wall defects, graphene oxide, chitosan, N-acetylcysteine, double layer, electrospinning

Keywords

• abdominal wall defects
• graphene oxide
• chitosan
• n-acetylcysteine
• double layer
• electrospinning