Noncompressible
hemorrhage caused by gunshots and sharp objects leads to higher
trauma mortality, and
cryogels have great potential in controlling noncompressible
hemorrhage applications owing to their shape-memory properties. However, the use of non-toxic crosslinkers to prepare
cryogels for noncompressible
hemorrhage remains a challenge. In this study, a series of
cryogels were prepared using oxidized
dextran (ODex) as a biocompatible crosslinker, combined with the good
hemostatic properties of
chitosan (CS) and human-like
collagen (HLC), and
polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs) were also introduced to strengthen the shape recovery speed of the
cryogels and further enhance their
hemostatic performance. The CS/HLC/ODex/PDA-NPs (CHOP)
cryogels presented a highly interconnected macroporous structure, powerful water/blood absorption capacity, robust mechanical performance, and rapid water/blood-triggered shape recovery. In vitro coagulation and coagulation mechanism tests showed that CHOP exhibited strong procoagulant ability, high adhesion to blood cells and
fibrinogen, and the capacity to activate platelets and intrinsic pathways. In vivo
hemostatic tests indicated that CHOP could effectively shorten the bleeding time and reduce the
bleeding volume of liver incision
bleeding and liver noncompressible
hemorrhage. Meanwhile, CHOP exhibited good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and could promote wound healing. These results suggest that CHOP
cryogels will be a promising
hemostatic dressing.