pH-responsive hydrogel loaded with insulin as a bioactive dressing for enhancing diabetic wound healing

• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2021.110104
• Publication Date: 2021-09-10T03:09:45Z
• Authors: Zuhao Li; Yue Zhao; He Liu; Ming Ren; Zhonghan Wang; Xianggang Wang; Hou Liu; Yubin Feng; Quan Lin; Chenyu Wang; Jincheng Wang
• Keywords: Granulation tissue; Wound dressing

The healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is a major challenge for clinical treatment because the hyperglycemic and acidic microenvironment in wound area. In this study, self-healing, injectable, pH-responsive hydrogel was synthesized by N-carboxyethyl chitosan (N-chitosan), hyaluronic acid–aldehyde (HA-ALD), adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) through formation reversible dynamic bonds, acylhydrazone imine bonds. presence bond characterizes property. insulin glargine successfully incorporated into hydrogel, allowing its sustained releasing from up to 14 days. presented good compatibility pore structure, released maintained original bioactivity. Full thickness wounds were established on feet rats evaluate therapeutic effect dressing. results revealed that bioactive insulin-loaded dressing shortened inflammatory phase, enhanced granulation tissue formation, promoted collagen deposition, accelerated re-epithelialization neovascularization, postponed or even improved peripheral neuropathy, thus, significantly DFUs healing. Our findings showed hydrogels had promising potential as multifunctional enhancing