Tannic acid-loaded hydrogel coating endues polypropylene mesh with hemostatic and anti-inflammatory capacity for facilitating pelvic floor repair

The application of polypropylene mesh (PPM) in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) treatment was severely limited by the complications associated with PPM, such as mesh exposure, chronic inflammatory reactions and postoperative hematoma. This study applied a method of fabricating a hydrogel-mesh complex (PPM + TA@GelMA) to cross-link tannic acid (TA) directly with Methacrylate Gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel and thus to form a coating for PPM. This one-step coating modification improved the hydrophilicity and cyto-compatibility of PPM. The hemostatic effect of PPM+TA@GelMA was confirmed through tail amputation test. Through the defect tissue repair experiments in vivo, it was proved that PPM+TA@GelMA had effects of anti-inflammation and promoting tissue repair and regulated the M2 subtype macrophages polarization for tissue repair. The TA-loaded hydrogel coating endued PPM with multiple functions. It is believed that the novel hydrogel-mesh complex and its fabrication method will have great significance in basic research and clinical application.

Automated summary

This study developed a novel hydrogel-mesh complex by coating polypropylene mesh with a tannic acid-loaded gelatin hydrogel. The coated mesh exhibited improved hydrophilicity and cytocompatibility. The results showed that this complex had hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, and tissue repair-promoting effects, and could regulate macrophage polarization during tissue repair.