A collaborative team of scientists from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation and the University of Nebraska Medical Center has developed a fibrous airway that promotes rapid and effective healing of diabetic ulcers. As detailed in their paper on Advanced Functional Materials, micro/macrochannels engineered in aerogel support the healing of chronic diabetic wounds, while new proteins incorporated into the aerogel provide antimicrobial power both in -enhance the body’s immune system. vessel.
In general, diabetic foot ulcers (DUPs) are difficult to manage. Many patients with DFU will have amputations every year, which greatly affects their quality of life. In the United States alone, the cost of treating non-diabetic foot ulcers is estimated at $1.38 billion annually. Poor wound healing is associated with poor clinical outcomes in DFU patients due to complications in blood flow, nerve damage, immune function, and fibrosis. DFUs that do not heal are less likely to heal after surgery.
Certain types of cells and molecules will migrate to the wound site during regular healing; these cells initiate blood vessel formation and tissue regeneration, which are essential for wound repair and rapid closure.
The microarchitecture of the tissue is critical in supporting the wound process by allowing cells to migrate through the tissue to close the wound. The UNMC/TIBI team designed nanofibrous aerogels with a customized microstructure that improved cell migration, oxygen and nutrient delivery to the wound bed.
Moreover, prevention is also very important for the rapid treatment of DFU. The team introduced a new antimicrobial peptide into the dressing to inhibit bacterial growth and promote healing.
The advantage of this new peptide is its low cost and potency compared to commercial antibiotics.
Using a type 2 diabetes mouse model, the team showed that their new dressing healed DFUs within 2 weeks, which was faster than previous dressings.
Ali Khademhosseini, Ph.D., Director and CEO of TIBI, said, “The combined properties of our nanofiber aerogel work synergistically to create advanced diabetic wound care.” “But it offers opportunities for use in biomedical applications in the future.”
