A Review on Hydrogels with Photothermal Effect in Wound Healing and Bone Tissue Engineering
June 2021
in “
Polymers
”
TLDR Photothermal hydrogels are promising for infection control and tissue repair, and combining them with other treatments could improve results and lower costs.
The document is a review of hydrogels with photothermal effects and their applications in wound healing and bone tissue engineering. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria and promotes tissue regeneration. Hydrogels with photothermal properties can control drug release and inhibit bacterial growth through hyperthermia, while mild heat enhances cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis. The review details the mechanisms of photothermal hydrogels in antibacterial action and tissue regeneration, recent developments, and future perspectives, highlighting their potential in medical treatments. Examples include a PDA/Cu hydrogel with significant antibacterial activity against E. coli and GelMA/BACA-Cu NPs hydrogels that showed a high wound closure rate under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Additionally, NIR-triggered drug release and the promotion of bone marrow stem cells differentiation into osteoblasts are discussed. The review concludes that photothermal hydrogels hold significant promise for infection control and tissue repair, suggesting future research should integrate PTT with other treatments to enhance outcomes and reduce costs.
