Engineered elastin-like polypeptide improves the efficiency of adipose-derived stem cell-mediated cutaneous wound healing in type II diabetes mellitus

Di-Tyrosine Cross-Linking of Elastin-Like Polypeptides through Ruthenium Photoreaction To Form Scaffolds: Fine Tuning Mechanical Properties and Improving Cytocompatibility

Ensuring that the mechanical properties of tissue engineering scaffolds align with those of the target tissues is crucial for their successful integration and functional performance. Tyrosine-tyrosine cross-links are found in nature in numerous proteins including resilin that exhibit enhanced toughness and energy storage capacity. Herein, we investigated the potential of tuning the mechanical properties of scaffolds made from elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) containing tyrosine residues. Ruthenium-based photoreaction was used to form tyrosine cross-links. To enhance the cytocompatibility of the ELP scaffold, a continuous mode of washing was developed to remove residual ruthenium from the scaffolds. The continuous mode of washing was significantly superior in removing ruthenium and did so in a significantly shorter time as compared to batch washing and the conventional semibatch washing (also called dialysis washing). The range of storage moduli of the fabricated scaffolds spanned tens of Pa to hundreds of kPa. Human fibroblast cells were found to grow in the scaffolds and proliferate. Overall, this work offers a rationale for further developing tyrosine cross-linked ELPs for a broad range of tissue engineering applications.

Applications and prospects of biomaterials in diabetes management

Diabetes is a widespread metabolic disorder that presents considerable challenges in its management. Recent advancements in biomaterial research have shed light on innovative approaches for the treatment of diabetes. This review examines the role of biomaterials in diabetes diagnosis and treatment, as well as their application in managing diabetic wounds. By evaluating recent research developments alongside future obstacles, the review highlights the promising potential of biomaterials in diabetes care, underscoring their importance in enhancing patient outcomes and refining treatment methodologies.

Combined use of hydrogen-rich water and enzyme-digested edible bird's nest improves PMA/LPS-impaired wound healing in human inflammatory gingival tissue equivalents

Gingival wound healing plays a critical role in maintaining oral health. However, this process can be delayed by oxidative stress and excessive inflammatory responses. In this study, we established a human inflammatory gingival tissue equivalent (iGTE) to investigate the inhibitory effects of hydrogen-rich water (HW), enzyme-digested edible bird's nest (EBND) and sialic acid (SA) on PMA (an inducer of oxidative free radicals)- and LPS (an inflammatory stimulus)-impaired wound healing. The iGTE was constructed by human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs), keratinocytes and macrophages under three-dimensional conditions. Wounds in the iGTE and hGF/keratinocyte monolayers were created by mechanical injury. Tissues and cells were pretreated with HW, EBND, and SA, and then exposed to the inflammatory and oxidative environment induced by PMA (10 ng/mL) and LPS (250 ng/mL). The inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 were quantitatively analyzed by ELISA. Histopathological image analysis was performed by HE and immunofluorescence staining. In the iGTE, PMA/LPS significantly reduced the epithelial thickness while causing a decrease in K8/18, E-cadherin, laminin and elastin expression and an increase in COX-2 expression along with ulcer-like lesions. In mechanically scratched hGFs and keratinocyte monolayers, PMA/LPS significantly impaired wound healing, and promoted the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. Pretreatment of HW, EBND, and SA significantly suppressed PMA/LPS-induced wound healing delay and inflammatory responses in cell monolayers, as well as in the iGTE. Remarkably, the combined use of HW and EBND exhibited particularly robust results. Combined use of HW and EBND may be applied for the prevention and treatment of wound healing delay.

Chromolaena odorata layered-nitrile rubber polymer transdermal patch enhanced wound healing in vivo

The objective is to investigate the healing efficacy of a Chromolaena odorata layered-nitrile rubber transdermal patch on excision wound healing in rats. Wounds were induced in Sprague-Dawley rats and were later treated as follows: wound A, the negative control, received no treatment (NC); wound B, the negative control with an empty nitrile rubber patch (NC-ERP); wound C, treated with a C. odorata layered-nitrile rubber patch (CO-NRP); and wound D, the positive control with Solcoseryl gel with a nitrile rubber patch (PC-SG-NRP). After 1, 3, 6, 10, and 14 days, the rats were sacrificed and analyzed for wound contraction, protein content, hexosamine, and uronic acid levels. Macroscopic observation showed enhanced wound healing in wounds treated with CO-NRP with a wound contraction percentage significantly higher (p<0.05) on days 6 and 10 compared to those treated with NC-ERP. Similarly, protein, hexosamine, and uronic acid contents were also significantly higher (p<0.05) in CO-NRP-treated wounds when compared with wounds treated with NC-ERP. Histological findings showed denser collagen deposition and faster granulation tissue formation in wounds treated with CO-NRP. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the C. odorata layered-nitrile rubber transdermal patch was effective in healing skin wounds.

Polymer-Based Functional Materials Loaded with Metal-Based Nanoparticles as Potential Scaffolds for the Management of Infected Wounds

Wound infection due to bacterial invasion at the wound site is one of the primary challenges associated with delayed wound healing. Microorganisms tend to form biofilms that protect them from harm, leading to their multidrug resistance. The alarming increase in antibiotic resistance poses a threat to wound healing. Hence, the urgent need for novel wound dressing materials capable of managing bacterial infection is crucial for expediting wound recovery. There is considerable interest in polymeric wound dressings embedded with bioactive substances, such as metal-based nanoparticles, as potential solutions for treating microbially infected wounds. Metal-based nanoparticles have been widely used for the management of infected wounds due to their broad antimicrobial efficacy. This review focuses on polymer-based and bioactive wound dressings loaded with metal-based nanoparticles like silver, gold, magnesium oxide, or zinc oxide. When compared, zinc oxide-loaded dressings exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Gram-positive strains and silver nanoparticle-loaded dressings against gram-negative strains. However, wound dressings infused with both nanoparticles displayed a synergistic effect against both strains of bacteria. Furthermore, these dressings displayed antibiofilm activity and the generation of reactive oxygen species while accelerating wound closure both in vitro and in vivo.