Microenvironment-Responsive Hydrogel Reduces Seizures After Traumatic Brain Injury in Juvenile Rats by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Hippocampal Inflammation

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the primary cause of child mortality and disability worldwide. It can result in severe complications that significantly impact children's quality of life, including post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). An increasing number of studies suggest that TBI-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory sequelae (especially, inflammation in the hippocampus region) may lead to the development of PTE. Due to the blood–brain barrier (BBB), typical systemic pharmacological therapy for TBI cannot deliver berberine (BBR) to the targeted location in the early stages of the injury, although BBR has strong anti-inflammatory properties. To break through this limitation, a microenvironment-responsive gelatin methacrylate (GM) hydrogel to deliver poly(propylene sulfide)₆₀ (PPS₆₀) and BBR (GM/PB) is developed for regulating neuroinflammatory reactions and removing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain trauma microenvironment through PPS₆₀. In situ injection of the GM/PB hydrogel efficiently bypasses the BBB and is administered directly to the surface of brain tissue. In post-traumatic brain injury models, GM/PB has the potential to mitigate oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory responses, facilitate functional recovery, and lessen seizing. These findings can lead to a new treatment for brain injuries, which minimizes complications and improves the quality of life.