Treatment of a Spinal Cord Hemitransection Injury with Keratin Biomaterial Hydrogel Elicits Recovery and Tissue Repair

In a study from 2014, researchers investigated the use of a keratin hydrogel, derived from human hair, as a treatment for spinal cord hemitransection injuries. The study found that rats treated with the keratin hydrogel exhibited higher survival rates, improved gait properties, and better bladder function compared to untreated controls. Histologically, the keratin-treated rats showed reduced glial scar formation, indicating less inhibitory scarring and more favorable tissue remodeling. These promising results suggested that keratin biomaterials could potentially be used for treating spinal cord injuries and called for further research into their application in the central nervous system.