Micronutrients in immune ageing and diabetic wound healing: modulating inflammation and promoting tissue repair

Immune ageing, characterized by a decline in immune function and increased chronic inflammation, significantly impacts tissue repair mechanisms, particularly in diabetic wounds. Diabetic individuals often experience delayed wound healing due to impaired immune responses and persistent inflammation, making effective management of chronic wounds a challenge. Recent studies suggest that micronutrients, which play an essential role in modulating immune responses and inflammatory pathways, have the potential to mitigate these age-related dysfunctions and improve wound healing outcomes. This review explores key micronutrients, including Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Selenium, in enhancing immune function and promoting tissue repair in diabetic wound healing. We discuss how deficiencies in these micronutrients contribute to increased inflammation, delayed immune responses, and prolonged wound healing. Furthermore, we examine emerging micronutrients and their potential therapeutic benefits, such as Magnesium, Folic Acid, and Curcumin, in reducing oxidative stress and modulating immune function. In addition, innovative delivery systems, including liposomal encapsulation and nanotechnology, are highlighted as promising strategies to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of micronutrients, ensuring their optimal therapeutic effect in ageing and diabetic populations. By synthesizing current evidence and proposing future research directions, this review emphasizes the importance of micronutrient supplementation as a therapeutic strategy to address immune ageing and accelerate wound healing, offering new opportunities for managing chronic diabetic wounds and related complications in the ageing population.