Calcium loaded biodegradable porous microspheres for the hemostasis of coagulopathy†

Abstract

The development of efficient hemostatic materials is a challenge for patients with coagulation disorders. In this study, we developed advanced biodegradable porous microspheres for the hemostasis of coagulopathy. The microspheres were fabricated using multiblock amphiphilic poly(ε-caprolactone-r-glycolide) (PCGA)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) polyurethanes (PUE). Calcium ions were loaded in the porous microspheres (CPBMs) via solution immersion. The microspheres possessed high porosity, uniform particle and pore sizes, and excellent biocompatibility. The CPBMs demonstrated an ultra-high water absorption capacity of 45 times and a rapid calcium ion release rate to accelerate the coagulation cascade. The CPBMs significantly promoted platelet aggregation, red blood cell adhesion and fibrin formation, and outperformed commercially available hemostatic agents. The in vivo studies on liver injury and tail amputation models in both healthy and coagulopathic rats revealed superior hemostasis compared to the modified starch-based powders (BT) and Yunnan Baiyao (YB) hemostatic powders.