Development and characterization of gelatin–platelet-rich plasma hydrogels for enhanced spinal cord injury repair

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a major clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of the central nervous system. This study presents the development and characterization of a gelatin-platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hydrogel as a therapeutic strategy for SCI repair. A composite gelatin-PRP scaffold was fabricated by incorporating PRP into a gelatin matrix to enhance tissue regeneration and functional recovery. In vitro analyses demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, with neuronal cell viability increasing from 75% on Day 1 to 96% on Day 7 (p < 0.05). The release of growth factors including transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) followed a biphasic pattern, with approximately 85-88% released within 96 h (p < 0.05). In vivo, the PRP + Hydrogel group exhibited significantly improved locomotor recovery on the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale, along with reduced cavity formation, improved tissue preservation, and decreased scar-like tissue appearance compared with other treatments (n = 6 per group, p < 0.05). These findings indicate that gelatin-PRP hydrogels support growth factor delivery, promote tissue repair, and improve functional recovery, highlighting their potential as a biomaterial platform for spinal cord repair.