Artificial dermis composed of gelatin, hyaluronic acid and (1→3),(1→6)-β-glucan

Biomedical applications of laminarin

The ocean is par excellence a fertile territory of biodiversity on our planet. Marine-derived polysaccharides have been applied as functional materials in biomedicine due to their attractive bioactive properties, safety, high availability and low-cost production. Laminarin (or laminaran), a low molecular weight β-glucan storage polysaccharide present in brown algae, can be (bio-) chemically modified to enhance its biological activity and employed in cancer therapies, drug/gene delivery, tissue engineering, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. This review provides a brief overview on laminarin characteristics, modification strategies and highlights its pivotal biomedical applications.

Biopolymer-based biomaterials for accelerated diabetic wound healing: A critical review

Non-healing, chronic wounds place a huge burden on healthcare systems as well as individual patients. These chronic wounds especially diabetic wounds will ultimately lead to compromised mobility, amputation of limbs and even death. Currently, wounds and limb ulcers associated with diabetes remain significant health issues; the associated healthcare cost ultimately leads to the increased clinical burden. The presence of diabetes interrupts a highly coordinated cascade of events in the wound closure process. Advances in the understanding of pathophysiological conditions associated with diabetic wounds lead to the development of drug delivery systems which can enhance wound healing by targeting various phases of the impaired processes. Wound environments typically contain degradative enzymes, along with an elevated pH and demonstrate a physiological cascade involved in the regeneration of tissue, which requires the application of an effective delivery system. This article aims to review the pathophysiological conditions associated with chronic and diabetic wounds. The delivery systems, involved in their treatment are described, highlighting potential biomaterials and polymers for establishing drug delivery systems, specifically for the treatment of diabetic wounds and the promotion of the associated mechanisms involved in advanced wound healing. Emerging approaches and engineered devices for effective wound care are reported. The discussion will give insight into the mechanisms relevant to all stages of wound healing.

Natural and synthetic polymers for wounds and burns dressing

In the last years, health care professionals faced with an increasing number of patients suffering from wounds and burns difficult to treat and heal. During the wound healing process, the dressing protects the injury and contributes to the recovery of dermal and epidermal tissues. Because their biocompatibility, biodegradability and similarity to macromolecules recognized by the human body, some natural polymers such as polysaccharides (alginates, chitin, chitosan, heparin, chondroitin), proteoglycans and proteins (collagen, gelatin, fibrin, keratin, silk fibroin, eggshell membrane) are extensively used in wounds and burns management. Obtained by electrospinning technique, some synthetic polymers like biomimetic extracellular matrix micro/nanoscale fibers based on polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polyacrylic acid, poly-ɛ-caprolactone, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, exhibit in vivo and in vitro wound healing properties and enhance re-epithelialization. They provide an optimal microenvironment for cell proliferation, migration and differentiation, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, peculiar structure and good mechanical properties. Thus, synthetic polymers are used also in regenerative medicine for cartilage, bone, vascular, nerve and ligament repair and restoration. Biocompatible with fibroblasts and keratinocytes, tissue engineered skin is indicated for regeneration and remodeling of human epidermis and wound healing improving the treatment of severe skin defects or partial-thickness burn injuries.

Optimized hyaluronic acid-hydrogel design and culture conditions for preservation of mesenchymal stem cell properties

A novel approach that preserved most mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics was developed using MSC encapsulation in a hydrogel based on hyaluronic acid (HA). An optimized HA-hydrogel composition, whose characteristics were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and viscoelastic property analyses, as well as the more favorable MSC seeding density, was established. These optimal three-dimensional MSC culture conditions allowed morphological cell remodeling, maintained the expression of stem cell markers over 28 days of culture, and preserved MSC differentiation plasticity. In addition, MSCs in HA-hydrogel submitted for 7 days to mechanical constraint that aimed at mimicking in vivo cardiac beat displayed enhanced cell survival by more than 40% compared to static culture conditions. Thus, the optimized HA-based hydrogel provides a niche for MSCs, which preserves their properties and opens ways for cell therapy, in particular in aortic repair medicine.

Natural Products: A Minefield of Biomaterials

The development of natural biomaterials is not regarded as a new area of science, but has existed for centuries. The use of natural products as a biomaterial is currently undergoing a renaissance in the biomedical field. The major limitations of natural biomaterials are due to the immunogenic response that can occur following implantation and the lot-to-lot variability in molecular structure associated with animal sourcing. The chemical stability and biocompatibility of natural products in the body greatly accounts for their utilization in recent times. The paper succinctly defines biomaterials in terms of natural products and also that natural products as materials in biomedical fields are considerably versatile and promising. The various types of natural products and forms of biomaterials are highlighted. Three main areas of applications of natural products as materials in medicine are described, namely, wound management products, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering. This paper presents a brief history of natural products as biomaterials, various types of natural biomaterials, properties, demand and economic importance, and the area of application of natural biomaterials in recent times.

Novel porous gelatin scaffolds by overrun/particle leaching process for tissue engineering applications

Porous gelatin scaffolds were prepared using a modified overrun process, which is a novel method for preparing a porous matrix by injecting air and mixing polymer solution at low temperature. The pores in the scaffolds formed by the overrun process exhibited a dual-pore structure due to the injection of air bubbles and ice recrystallization. However, the morphology of the overrun-processed gelatin scaffolds had closed pore structures. The closed pore structure was reformed into a uniformly distributed and interconnected open structure by the combination of the overrun process and a particle-leaching technique (NaCl and sucrose). The mechanical strength and biodegradation rate of gelatin scaffolds were controlled by the matrix porosity and concentration of gelatin solution. Despite higher porosity, overrun processed gelatin scaffolds showed similar mechanical strength to freeze-dried scaffolds. After 1 week of in vitro culturing, the fibroblasts in overrun-processed scaffolds were widely distributed on the surface of the scaffold pores, whereas cells seeded in freeze-dried scaffolds were mainly placed on the top and bottom of the scaffolds. Therefore, the overrun process combined with a particle-leaching technique can be applied to fabricate porous scaffolds with a desirable cellular structure for tissue engineering applications.

A note on integumental (13)(16)beta-d-glucan permeation, using the porcine ear skin model

Based on carbohydrate histochemical methods and the porcine ear skin model, the study demonstrates the rapid permeation of (1-->3)(1-->6)beta-d-glucans from a cosmetic formulation into the mammalian epidermis.