Considering recent advances in surgical techniques, sprayable antiadhesion barriers that are compatible with minimally invasive procedures are needed. However, the relatively low mechanical stiffness of the current thixotropic reversible sol-to-gel transition hydrogels has hindered their medical application. Herein, we show a thixotropic sprayable β-chitin nanofiber hydrogel that spontaneously lost the thixotropic property in response to the environments within the living body. Furthermore, interactions between hydrogels and the biological environment result in a significant increase in mechanical stiffness. Due to these advantageous properties, β-chitin nanofiber hydrogels administered by spray prevent postoperative abdominal adhesions and are thus promising sprayable antiadhesion barriers.
Keywords: antiadhesive barrier; living-body-responsive property; sprayability; thixotropy; β-chitin nanofiber hydrogel.