Voice loss is often permanent when scarring forms on the vocal cords. Current injectable treatments break down quickly, which can force patients to get repeated procedures that can further damage the delicate tissue.
In a preclinical study published in the journal听Biomaterials, the scientists report that their new gel resisted breakdown for weeks in lab and animal tests, outlasting current injectable materials and giving vocal cords a better chance to heal.
The gel is made from natural tissue proteins processed into a powder and converted into a gel. To make it last longer, the team used a process called click chemistry.
鈥淭his process is what makes our approach unique,鈥� said co-senior author听Maryam Tabrizian,听professor in 黑料网鈥檚 Department of Biomedical Engineering and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine.
It acts like a molecular glue, locking the material together so it doesn鈥檛 fall apart too quickly once injected.鈥�
Vocal cord injuries are especially common among older adults who have acid reflux or who smoke, and people who use their voices professionally, such as singers, teachers and radio hosts.
Roughly one in 13 adults experiences a voice disorder each year, according to听the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Next steps
The researchers are now looking to test the gel in computer simulations that mimic how it behaves in the body. Once those results are validated, they hope to move toward human trials. If successful, the work could pave the way for a minimally invasive, longer-lasting treatment for voice loss.
About the study
鈥溾�� by Mika Brown,听Hideaki Okuyama, Ling Li, Zhen Yang, Jianyu Li, Maryam Tabrizian and Nicole Li-Jessen was published in听Biomaterials.
The research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Canada Research Chair research stipends.