A mechanically tough and ultra-swellable microneedle for acute gout arthritis

Biomater Sci. 2023 Feb 28;11(5):1714-1724. doi: 10.1039/d2bm01937j.

Abstract

Acute gout arthritis (AGA) remains the fundamental research focus in the entire medical field. Hydrogel microneedles (HMNs) loaded with therapeutic molecules such as colchicine (Col) have been developed as a new tool for the management of AGA in a minimally invasive manner. However, the incompatible mechanical and swelling properties of HMNs limited the diffusion of the drug from the HMN system, which remains a challenge for practical use. Here, a mechanically tough (11.53 N per needle) and super-swelling (2708%) hydrogel microneedle (HMNs) composed of a uniform network structure was developed using a UV-responsive crosslinker through in situ photopolymerization for percutaneous delivery of Col. Such HMNs and Col loaded HMNs (Col-HMNs) present excellent biocompatibility. Moreover, Col-HMNs present considerable anti-inflammatory effects in vivo through down-regulated inflammatory responses such as related cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. These results demonstrated that the mechanically tough and super-swelling HMNs could be a promising tool for effective Col delivery to relieve AGA.

MeSH terms

  • Cytokines
  • Gout*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels*
  • Needles
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Cytokines
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha