Progress in the Biomedical Application of Biopolymers: An Overview of the Status Quo and Outlook in Managing Intrauterine Adhesions

Advancements in material science have made biopolymers a reliable solution in treating diseases for which there were no effective treatments. Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) are the second leading cause of secondary infertility among women of reproductive age. Despite their negative impacts, the avail...

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Main Authors: Philbert Nshimiyimana, Ian Major, Declan Mary Colbert, Ciara Buckley
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Macromol
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/5/2/25
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author Philbert Nshimiyimana
Ian Major
Declan Mary Colbert
Ciara Buckley
author_facet Philbert Nshimiyimana
Ian Major
Declan Mary Colbert
Ciara Buckley
author_sort Philbert Nshimiyimana
collection DOAJ
description Advancements in material science have made biopolymers a reliable solution in treating diseases for which there were no effective treatments. Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) are the second leading cause of secondary infertility among women of reproductive age. Despite their negative impacts, the available data reveal that there is currently no effective treatment. This work serves to provide an overview of the progress in the biomedical application of biopolymers focusing on the clinical management of IUAs. Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis remains the standard treatment for IUAs, even though it is linked to recurrence and suboptimal reproductive outcomes. Efforts to improve IUAs treatment by combining hysteroscopy with adjuvants like physical barriers have not resulted in better outcomes. Biopolymers like hyaluronic acid (HA) represent a groundbreaking shift in regenerative medicine and have been used as anti-adhesives in the treatment of IUAs. This is attributed to their excellent biocompatibility, cell adhesiveness, biodegradability, low toxicity, and cell growth promotion ability. This study examines naturally occurring biopolymers, underscoring their biomedical applications, and limitations such as poor mechanical properties, rapid degradation, limited residence time, and bioavailability. Drawing from existing evidence and authors’ standpoints, innovative approaches harnessing the power of biopolymer engineering are suggested as future directions to overcome ongoing limitations.
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spelling doaj-art-b86ce25dd86d482a8c44d3a8cd845a112025-08-20T03:27:29ZengMDPI AGMacromol2673-62092025-06-01522510.3390/macromol5020025Progress in the Biomedical Application of Biopolymers: An Overview of the Status Quo and Outlook in Managing Intrauterine AdhesionsPhilbert Nshimiyimana0Ian Major1Declan Mary Colbert2Ciara Buckley3PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Westmeath, IrelandPRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Westmeath, IrelandPRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Westmeath, IrelandFaculty of Engineering & Informatics, Technological University of the Shannon, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Westmeath, IrelandAdvancements in material science have made biopolymers a reliable solution in treating diseases for which there were no effective treatments. Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) are the second leading cause of secondary infertility among women of reproductive age. Despite their negative impacts, the available data reveal that there is currently no effective treatment. This work serves to provide an overview of the progress in the biomedical application of biopolymers focusing on the clinical management of IUAs. Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis remains the standard treatment for IUAs, even though it is linked to recurrence and suboptimal reproductive outcomes. Efforts to improve IUAs treatment by combining hysteroscopy with adjuvants like physical barriers have not resulted in better outcomes. Biopolymers like hyaluronic acid (HA) represent a groundbreaking shift in regenerative medicine and have been used as anti-adhesives in the treatment of IUAs. This is attributed to their excellent biocompatibility, cell adhesiveness, biodegradability, low toxicity, and cell growth promotion ability. This study examines naturally occurring biopolymers, underscoring their biomedical applications, and limitations such as poor mechanical properties, rapid degradation, limited residence time, and bioavailability. Drawing from existing evidence and authors’ standpoints, innovative approaches harnessing the power of biopolymer engineering are suggested as future directions to overcome ongoing limitations.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/5/2/25biopolymersintrauterine adhesionsAsherman’s syndromehyaluronic acidbiomaterialschemical crosslinking
spellingShingle Philbert Nshimiyimana
Ian Major
Declan Mary Colbert
Ciara Buckley
Progress in the Biomedical Application of Biopolymers: An Overview of the Status Quo and Outlook in Managing Intrauterine Adhesions
Macromol
biopolymers
intrauterine adhesions
Asherman’s syndrome
hyaluronic acid
biomaterials
chemical crosslinking
title Progress in the Biomedical Application of Biopolymers: An Overview of the Status Quo and Outlook in Managing Intrauterine Adhesions
title_full Progress in the Biomedical Application of Biopolymers: An Overview of the Status Quo and Outlook in Managing Intrauterine Adhesions
title_fullStr Progress in the Biomedical Application of Biopolymers: An Overview of the Status Quo and Outlook in Managing Intrauterine Adhesions
title_full_unstemmed Progress in the Biomedical Application of Biopolymers: An Overview of the Status Quo and Outlook in Managing Intrauterine Adhesions
title_short Progress in the Biomedical Application of Biopolymers: An Overview of the Status Quo and Outlook in Managing Intrauterine Adhesions
title_sort progress in the biomedical application of biopolymers an overview of the status quo and outlook in managing intrauterine adhesions
topic biopolymers
intrauterine adhesions
Asherman’s syndrome
hyaluronic acid
biomaterials
chemical crosslinking
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/5/2/25
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