Responsive hydrogel modulator with self-regulated polyphenol release for accelerating diabetic wound healing via...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Diabetic chronic wounds exhibit high protease activity, oxidative stress, and inflammation, hindering healing.
• Developing stimuli-responsive hydrogels for controlled bioactive molecule release is crucial but challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop protease-responsive hydrogels for self-regulated polyphenol release to modulate the diabetic wound microenvironment.
• To accelerate diabetic wound healing by addressing key pathological features.

Main Methods:

• Fabricated hydrogels by grafting oxidized hyaluronic acid with epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA).
• Incorporated resveratrol nanoparticles for a polyphenol delivery system.
• Utilized UV irradiation for hydrogel fabrication and assessed protease-triggered degradation and release.

Main Results:

• Hydrogels demonstrated on-demand polyphenol release upon protease-induced degradation.
• Released polyphenols effectively scavenged free radicals, promoted M2 macrophage polarization, and modulated inflammatory cytokine expression (reduced TNF-α, increased IL-10) in vitro.
• In vivo studies showed accelerated collagen deposition and granulation tissue regeneration in diabetic rat wound models.

Conclusions:

• Protease-responsive hydrogels offer controlled polyphenol release, effectively modulating the inflammatory and oxidative microenvironment of diabetic wounds.
• These smart hydrogel dressings show significant potential for promoting diabetic wound healing and management.