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Published on: August 21, 2021
Nb2C-Reinforced Hydrogel Microneedle as Dual ROS-Scavenging Platform to Promote Diabetic Wound Healing.
Zhi Zheng1, Heyan Huang1, Xiangru Chen1
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University (Wuhan Third Hospital), Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
This study presents a dual ROS-scavenging microneedle system using niobium carbide and curcumin to treat diabetic wounds. The innovative platform accelerates wound healing by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production impairs diabetic wound healing by causing inflammation and inhibiting angiogenesis.
- Current treatments struggle to effectively eliminate ROS in the wound microenvironment.
- Diabetic wounds present a significant clinical challenge due to delayed healing and infection susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dual ROS-scavenging platform for enhanced diabetic wound healing.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of niobium carbide (Nb2C) and curcumin (Cur) in a hydrogel microneedle (MN) system.
- To provide a novel therapeutic strategy for refractory diabetic wounds.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of UV-crosslinked hydrogel microneedles (MNs) incorporating Nb2C nanoparticles and curcumin (Cur).
- Utilized curcumin as a primary extracellular ROS scavenger and Nb2C as a secondary intracellular ROS scavenger activated by near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.
- Evaluated the platform's efficacy in promoting macrophage repolarization, angiogenesis, and antibacterial effects.
- Assessed the therapeutic effect on full-thickness diabetic wound healing in vivo.
Main Results:
- The Nb2C-CurCD-GelMA MNs demonstrated a dual ROS-scavenging mechanism, neutralizing both extracellular and intracellular ROS.
- NIR irradiation enhanced the release of curcumin and activated Nb2C's peroxidase-mimicking activity for synergistic ROS elimination.
- The system effectively reduced inflammation, promoted M1 to M2 macrophage repolarization, and facilitated angiogenesis.
- In vivo studies showed significantly accelerated healing of full-thickness diabetic wounds with the Nb2C-CurCD-GelMA MNs.
Conclusions:
- The developed Nb2C-CurCD-GelMA MNs offer a sophisticated and safe treatment for diabetic wounds.
- The dual ROS-scavenging and NIR-enhanced approach effectively balances the oxidative microenvironment, promoting healing.
- This strategy holds promise for managing complex, non-healing diabetic wounds by coordinating anti-inflammatory and regenerative processes.
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