Mussels, Silkworms Team Up Against Bleeding and Infections
In the near future, mussels and silkworms could indirectly contribute to saving lives. Researchers have harnessed proteins from these creatures to create an internal wound dressing that halts bleeding and protects against infections.
Typically, to stop bleeding from open wounds on internal organs or tissues, surgeons insert gauze sponges around them. However, since these sponges aren’t biodegradable, they need to be taken out before closing the incision. Occasionally, a sponge might be overlooked, necessitating another surgery for its removal.
In the quest for a more effective leave-in solution, Korean scientists turned their attention to the mussel and the silkworm.
Exploring Mussels’ Adhesive for Synthetic Applications
Over time, scientists have investigated the natural adhesive employed by mussels to attach themselves to rocks in the intertidal zone, subjected to waves. These investigations have led to the development of synthetic versions of this adhesive, capable of bonding objects together in wet conditions.
Silkworms have also come under scrutiny, both metaphorically and literally, due to the strength of the silk fibers they produce, which rival spider silk but are much easier to produce in significant quantities, both naturally and artificially.
The new dressing, developed by the Korean team, integrates two layers of nanofibers made from either mussel adhesive protein (MAP) or a protein found in silkworm cocoons called silk fibroin (SF).
The bottom layer, directly in contact with the wound, combines both types of fibers. The MAP fibers in this layer ensure effective tissue adhesion and contain dihydroxyphenylalanine, a compound that promotes blood clotting.
Silk Fibers Enhance Dressing Integrity and Protect Against Bacterial Infections
The uppermost layer of the dressing is comprised entirely of SF fibers treated with alcohol, serving dual roles. Primarily, they provide the material with its mechanical resilience. Additionally, their hydrophobic nature repels water, preventing bacteria-infested fluids from reaching the wound beneath, thereby minimizing infection risks.
Moreover, since both MAP and SF are biocompatible and naturally degrade, the dressing can be safely left to dissolve within the body. Laboratory experiments conducted on rats demonstrated that the use of the dressing notably decreased clotting duration and blood loss.
To conclude, “we have confirmed the remarkable hemostatic effectiveness of a versatile topical adhesive hemostatic substance derived from natural sources and composed of degradable proteins found in the human body,” stated Prof. Hyung Joon Cha from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). “Our ongoing research aims to evaluate its practical suitability in clinical patient care or surgical environments.”
Read the original article on: new atlas
