Hydrogel could be potential treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) impacts roughly 38% of the world's population, with the condition's prevalence continuing to increase due to the global rise in metabolic syndrome. Current approved treatments for MASLD suffer from limited efficacy and scope. Seeking to address this gap, professor Yung-Te Hou from National Taiwan University's Department of Biomechatronics Engineering, along with colleagues, created an innovative injectable self-healing hydrogel.

This hydrogel, engineered by professor Shan-hui Hsu at the Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, aims to simulate the native hepatic microenvironment and restore liver function in MASLD patients. The hydrogel, named CPDP self-healing hydrogel, is formed through reversible Schiff-base crosslinking between chitosan-phenol and benzaldehyde groups.

The incorporation of decellularized liver matrix, which retains the structural integrity and biochemical composition of liver tissue, supports hepatocyte spheroid viability and creates a more physiologically relevant culture environment. Additionally, tannic acid was added to the hydrogel to reduce lipid accumulation and enhance its mechanical properties.

The resulting composite hydrogel, 0.1% TA-CDS, demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in an in vitro MASLD model, as well as in animal experiments. After two weeks of treatment, the hydrogel significantly improved liver function, lipid metabolism, serum biochemical markers, and liver tissue characteristics. This research marks a promising step forward in developing a potential treatment for MASLD, not only by showcasing the short-term therapeutic potential of a hepatocyte spheroid-laden composite self-healing hydrogel but also by introducing a biomaterial platform that closely mimics the native hepatic microenvironment.