Experimental bridging of spinal cord injury with hydrogels

Hydrogels are biomaterials used in the treatment of experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). In a model of acute SCI, we implanted hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and hydroxypropylmethacryla-mide (HPMA). One month after implantation the hydrogels bridged the cavity, adhered well to the spinal cord and created permissive environment, infiltrated with blood vessels, axons and Schwann cells. Physical modifications (e.g. surface charge) of hydrogels may improve bridging of acute SCI. We implanted hydrogels based on HEMA with a surface charge in spinal cord hemisection and compared with a hydrogel without charge. Hydrogels with surface charge improved connective tissue adhesion and growth of axons compared to a hydrogel without charge. Biodegradable hydrogels may bridge a lesion followed by complete re-sorption. In a model of acute SCI we implanted hydrogels based on the copolymer of HPMA and etoxyethylmethacrylate (EOMA) degraded from the periphery, which was substituted with new tissue after 1 month, to the center, comprising amorphous residuals of the hydrogel. Delayed hydrogel implantation may improve bridging of spinal cord le-sion. We implanted hydrogels based on HEMA acutely or in a delayed fashion (after 7 days) in spinal cord transection. Delayed implantation re-duced the volume of..