Robust Sealing of Blood Vessels with Cholesteryl Group-Modified, Alaska Pollock-Derived Gelatin-Based Biodegradable Sealant Under Wet Conditions

A novel surgical sealant was developed by partially modifying the amino groups of Alaska pollock-derived gelatin derivative with cholesteryl groups (Chol-apGltn), which was combined with the crosslinker, pentaerythritol poly(ethylene glycol) ether tetrasuccinimidyl glutarate (4S-PEG). The burst strength of the resultant sealant was tested using fresh porcine aorta as an adherend. The Chol-apGltn/4S-PEG sealant cured within 25.4 ± 2.0 s. Burst strength increased with increasing degree of Chol modification up to a maximum value of 8.3 mol% (8.3Chol-apGltn). The highest burst strength of the 8.3Chol-apGltn/4S-PEG sealant was 341.3 ± 77.5 mmHg, which was 3.5- and 11.6-fold higher than that of the original apGltn/4S-PEG and commercial fibrin sealants, respectively. The 8.3Chol-apGltn/4S-PEG sealant swelled only slightly in solution (1.1-fold as compared to commercially prepared sealant). Furthermore, tissue migration into the 8.3Chol-apGltn/4S-PEG sealant and subsequent biodegradation was observed following implantation for 4–8 weeks. These results suggest that the 8.3Chol-apGltn/4S-PEG sealant has biomedical applications, including use in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.