A Biomimetic NAC-Loaded PCL/Modified Chitosan/dECM Fibrous Scaffold for Accelerating Diabetic Wound Healing and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Diabetic wound healing is clinically challenging, often leading to significant scarring.
• Innovative dressings are needed to accelerate healing and minimize scar formation.
• Current treatments struggle with efficacy in complex wound environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a multifunctional nanofibrous scaffold for diabetic wound healing.
• To evaluate the scaffold's ability to promote healing and reduce scarring.
• To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the scaffold's therapeutic effects.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite scaffold (PCL/Az-CS/dECM/NAC) using polycaprolactone, modified chitosan, decellularized extracellular matrix, and N-acetylcysteine.
• In vitro assessment of hydrophilicity, swelling, biocompatibility, reactive oxygen species scavenging, and macrophage polarization.
• In vivo evaluation of wound closure, angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and scar mitigation in a wound healing model.

Main Results:

• The PCL/AZ-CS/dECM/NAC scaffold demonstrated ideal hydrophilicity, swelling, and biocompatibility.
• In vitro studies showed effective reactive oxygen species scavenging and M1 to M2 macrophage polarization.
• In vivo studies confirmed accelerated wound closure, enhanced angiogenesis, and reduced scar formation by optimizing collagen I/III ratio.

Conclusions:

• The PCL/AZ-CS/dECM/NAC scaffold significantly promotes diabetic wound healing and mitigates scar formation.
• The scaffold's multifunctional properties, including ROS scavenging and macrophage modulation, contribute to its efficacy.
• This novel scaffold represents a promising therapeutic candidate for treating recalcitrant diabetic wounds and preventing excessive scarring.