Hemostatic capability of rapidly curable glues from gelatin, poly(L-glutamic acid), and carbodiimide

The hemostatic capability of rapidly curable glues composed of gelatin and poly(l-glutamic acid) (PLGA) was compared with that of the conventional fibrin glue. The hydrogels produced from mixed gelatin and PLGA aqueous solution within several seconds by addition of water-soluble carbodiimide (WSC) was applied to the dog spleen injured by needle pricking. The WSC-catalyzed gelatin-PLGA glues exhibited higher hemostatic capability than the fibrin glue. The total amount of bleeding from the injured spleen until hemostasis when the gelatin–PLGA hydrogel glues were applied was significantly smaller than that of the fibrin glue application. The gelatin–PLGA glue application enhanced the success rate of complete hemostasis to a significantly greater extent than the fibrin glue, while the frequency of glue applications until achieving complete hemostasis decreased. The gelatin–PLGA hydrogels strongly adhered to the surface of dog spleen, whereas the fibrin hydrogel was easily detached from the spleen surface. It was concluded that this strong adhesion mechanically suppressed the bleeding, leading to enhanced hemostasis by the rapidly curable gelatin–PLGA glues.