A dural substitute based on oxidized quaternized guar gum/porcine peritoneal acellular matrix with improved stability, antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties

Trauma and neurosurgery often result in dural defects and are followed by serious complications or even death, finding suitable dural replacement materials to repair the defective dura has important clinical significance. Porcine peritoneal acellular matrix (PPAM) is a promising alternative material, but its poor stability makes it difficult to meet the various needs of dural reconstruction. In this work, we developed a novel antibacterial cross-linking agent oxidized quaternized guar gum (OQGG) and used it for the first time to stabilize PPAM to construct a dural mater substitute (OQGG-PPAM). The results showed that 1.5% OQGG-PPAM presented suitable mechanical property as well as good thermal stability and resistance to enzymatic degradation. It also exhibited good antibacterial activity and good anti-leakage ability. Furthermore, 1.5% OQGG-PPAM not only exhibited excellent cell compatibility but also significantly stimulated the secretion of bFGF and VEGF from seeded cells which was convenient for dural remodeling. In vivo experiment, it also exhibited the excellent histocompatibility and good anti-adhesion property. This study showed that OQGG can be used as a novel antibacterial cross-linking reagent for crosslinking natural tissues and 1.5% OQGG-PPAM was a potential candidate material for dura mater substitute.