Polyethylene‐glycol chitosan hydrogel accelerates traumatic wound healing in diabetic mice

Abstract

Wounds are considered a public health problem worldwide; it represents a significant economic impact on health systems. Diabetic lesions, microvascular dysfunction, trauma and burns, are some factors related to poor repair. Nowadays in regenerative medicine, biocompatible biomaterials (e.g., hydrogels) have proven been effective in regenerative processes. Therefore, preformed synthetic matrices could be a therapeutic alternative to accelerate wound repair. Objective to evaluate the Polyethylene‐glycol chitosan hydrogel (hg‐PEGDA‐Q) effect on traumatic wounds. Two CD1 mice (10 weeks, n = 5) were used: healthy control (CT) and with alloxan‐induced Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (200 mg / kg). Under anaesthesia, two traumatic dorsal wounds separated by 1 cm (diameter (⌀) 5 mm, area 19.63mm 2 ) were caused to each mouse: a) without treatment (WT) (proximal wound) and b) with hydrogel PEGDA‐Q (⌀ 5 mm, thickness 2 mm, distal wound). The macro and microscopic evolution were evaluated on 12 postoperative day. For analyse the macroscopic images were rescaled through a vernier and ImageJ software (1: 1 mm scale). hg‐PEGDA‐Q matrix was synthesized by sequential method and photopolymerization. Results in CT group, hg‐PEGDA‐Q decreased the diameter and area with respect to untreated wound (hg‐PEGDA‐Q vs. WT) (⌀ 2.71 ± 0.64 mm vs. 3.71 ± 0.27 mm; area 5.79 ± 1.67 mm 2 vs. 9.23 ± 1.97 mm 2 ). In DM group, the same behaviour was observed with hydrogel (DM hg‐PEGDA vs. DM‐WT) (⌀ 3.04 ± 0.64 mm vs. 3.90 ± 0.29mm; area 6.29 ± 2.35 mm 2 vs. 12.01 ± 3.66 mm 2 ). Regarding initial diameter (5 mm, day 0), in control group, wound retraction (WR) was (hg‐PEGDA‐Q 45% vs. WT 25%), while in diabetic group WR was (hg‐PEGDA‐Q 39% vs. WT 21%). Comparing the initial area (19.63 mm 2 at day 0), in control group the WR was (hg‐PEGDA‐Q 70% vs. WT 52%), while in DM group the WR was (hg‐PEGDA‐Q 67 % vs. WT 38%). Histomorphological analysis: hg‐PEGDA‐Q generated complete reepithelialization and dermo‐epidermal changes suggesting an advanced wound healing process compared to control group without treatment. DM group treated with hg‐PEGDA‐Q changes were similar, however consolidation was lower. In contrast DM WT group, reepithelialization and wound consolidation were deficient. Results indicate PEGDA‐Q hydrogel scaffolding network could be a therapeutic alternative to accelerate healing processes in normal and diabetic conditions