Acceleration of Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats through a Novel 3D Organo-Hydrogel Nanocomposite of Polydopamine/TiO2 Nanoparticles and Cu (PDA-TiO2@Cu).

BACKGROUND: Diabetic wound represents a serious issue with a substantial impact and an exceptionally complex pathology affecting patients' mental health and quality of life. So, we have developed a novel 3D organo-hydrogel nanocomposite of polydopamine/TiO2 nanoparticles and cu (PDA-TiO2@Cu) and examined its efficacy in diabetic wound healing.

METHODS: Forty-five adult male albino rats were divided into normal control rats (non-diabetic rats with non-treated skin wounds), diabetic control rats (diabetic rats with non-treated skin wounds), and organo-hydrogel-treated rats (diabetic wounds treated with topically applied organo- hydrogel once daily). Macroscopic changes of the wound were observed on days 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 to measure wound diameters. Skin specimens from the wound tissue were taken on days 3, 7, and 10, respectively, and examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Also, the gene expressions of collagen I, Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), and levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were assessed.

RESULTS: Our observed results indicated that the developed patch significantly accelerated the healing time compared to the normal control and diabetic control groups. Moreover, the patchloaded group revealed complete re-epithelization and a highly significant increase in the mean area % of CD31 immunostaining on day 7. The organo-hydrogel-loaded group displayed a significant decrease in gene expression of MMP-9 and a significant increase in gene expression of EGF and collagen I. Additionally, the organo-hydrogel-loaded group exhibited a significant decrease in levels of IL-6 and a significant increase in levels of SOD, compared to the normal diabetic control groups.

CONCLUSION: The organo-hydrogel can be used for treating and decreasing the healing period of diabetic wounds.