Hong Kong Researchers Unveil Acid-Resistant Hydrogel for Healing

A research team at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has made a significant advancement in gastrointestinal medicine with the development of an acid-resistant hydrogel known as the “ultra-stable mucus-inspired hydrogel” (UMIH). This innovative material is designed to enhance gastrointestinal healing and withstand the harsh acidic environment of the stomach, a challenge that has limited the effectiveness of traditional hydrogels.

Traditional hydrogels, which are gelatin-like substances used for wound healing and drug delivery, typically break down in acidic conditions. The PolyU team, in collaboration with researchers from Sichuan University, drew inspiration from the natural properties of gastric mucus to create UMIH. This new hydrogel adheres up to 15 times more strongly than conventional gastric mucosal protectants, positioning it as a promising option for wound repair and targeted drug delivery.

Significant Findings and Implications

The study, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, demonstrates that UMIH significantly enhances gastrointestinal wound healing in animal models, outperforming a clinically approved mucosal protectant used for gastric ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux. Prof. WANG Zuankai, who led the research as the Associate Vice President (Research) and Dean of the Graduate School at PolyU, stated, “UMIH shows promise in treating gastroesophageal reflux and gastric ulcers, and in protecting post-surgical wounds.”

Experimental results revealed that under simulated gastric conditions with a pH of 2, UMIH achieved a wet adhesion strength of 64.7 kilopascals (kPa), significantly surpassing the performance of aluminium phosphate gel (APG), which fully degrades within three days. In contrast, UMIH maintained approximately 50% of its structural integrity after a week. In vitro tests indicated that UMIH posed no toxicity to cultured gastrointestinal cells while also demonstrating antibacterial properties by inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Innovative Design and Future Applications

UMIH’s unique composition consists of a meshwork of polymers that absorb water, creating a jelly-like consistency. To enhance its acid resistance, the research team incorporated three key molecular components: ELR-IK24, tannic acid, and HDI. These elements work synergistically to provide UMIH with a multi-crosslinking architecture that maintains its integrity in acidic conditions while ensuring softness and injectability, which are crucial for clinical applications.

According to Ms. Yeung Yeung CHAU, a Research Associate involved in the study, “Our hydrogel is a synergistic combination of three essential molecular components.” The research team tested UMIH in pig and rat models, where it demonstrated superior adhesion to wound surfaces, reduced tissue damage, and promoted new blood vessel growth essential for healing, as noted by Dr. Xiao YANG, a Postdoctoral Fellow at PolyU.

While clinical trials will be necessary to confirm UMIH’s safety and efficacy in humans, the hydrogel’s low production cost and easy scalability, combined with its use of components with established safety profiles, suggest strong potential for commercialization. The material is poised for immediate application in both surgical settings and mass production.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to explore the integration of UMIH with drug release systems and flexible electronics to create advanced gastrointestinal devices capable of real-time monitoring and treatment. This innovative approach promises to enhance patient care and outcomes in gastrointestinal health.

The implications of this research are significant, offering a potentially transformative solution for patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders and paving the way for the next generation of implantable medical devices.