Living Microecological Hydrogels for Wound Healing

    May 2023 in “ Science Advances
    Guopu Chen, Fengyuan Wang, Xiaoxuan Zhang, Yixuan Shang, Yuanjin Zhao
    TLDR The hydrogel speeds up healing of infected wounds by providing oxygen and fighting bacteria.
    The study introduces a living microecological hydrogel (LMH) designed to enhance the healing of chronic wounds by addressing infections and hypoxia. The LMH incorporates Chlorella and Bacillus subtilis, which work together to deliver continuous oxygen and combat infections. It remains liquid at low temperatures and solidifies upon application to wounds. In a diabetic rat model with S. aureus-infected wounds, LMH-treated wounds showed faster healing, reduced inflammation, and increased collagen deposition compared to controls. The hydrogel's ability to release oxygen and its antibacterial properties were key factors in its effectiveness, making it a promising treatment for chronic wounds.
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