An elastomeric mechanomodulatory dressing to prevent and treat skin scars

Aim: To study the potential of poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) elastomer as a new force-modulating dressing capable to control the wound mechanical environment and prevent cutaneous scar formation. 

Method: PGS elastomer was formed via polycondensation of glycerol and sebacic acid using different molar ratios (1:1 3:4 4:3), followed by acrylation. The chemical structures were confirmed by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).  Analysis of polymer viscosity was performed by rheological tests and PGS mechanical properties were modulated through the curing conditions.

Results/Discussion:  PGS synthesis was confirmed by ¹H-NMR with correspondent protons peaks from sebacic acid, glycerol and acrylate groups; and by FTIR with absorption bands at 2930 cm^-1 and 2850 cm^-1 corresponding to the alkene groups. DSC analysis showed that the crystallization and melting points varied with the PGS formulation. The melting point was observed at 30 ⁰C for PGS (1:1) and 32 ⁰C for PGS (3:4) although this temperature transition behaviour was not detected for PGS (4:3) in the range of temperature studied (-20 ⁰C -100 ⁰C). The crystallization point was observed to vary from -7 ⁰C to -17 ⁰C with PGS molar ratios. Rheology measurements show that all PGS presented a shear-thinning behaviour.  Increasing curing time led to increased material stiffness.

Conclusion: The developed PGS elastomer present skin-mimicking mechanical properties to counteract the wound healing forces and ultimately prevent scarring.