Photoactivable CO-releasing hydrogel based cardiac patch with a self-regulation system for cardiac repair post-myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) leads to cardiomyocytes (CMs) death and impaired cardiac function, primarily due to excessive reactive oxygen species and inflammation. Carbon monoxide (CO) exhibits dose-dependent cardioprotective effects but faces challenges in achieving controlled local delivery. Herein, a photoactivable CO-releasing hydrogel based cardiac patch (pCO patch) for controlled CO delivery to repair cardiac function post-MI. Additionally, the pCO patch integrates a self-regulating system combining a wireless LED module and gas detection module to regulate CO release within the predetermined dose range. In vitro, the pCO patch releases CO in a controlled behavior by adjusting the LED light, effectively protecting CMs from the oxidative stress-induced damage and preventing apoptosis associated with continuous CO release. Additionally, the pCO patch was confirmed to reduce inflammation levels and thereby improve damage cardiac functions in a mouse MI module, highlighting its potential as a promising CO delivery approach for cardiac repair post-MI.