Healing Process Research Articles

Epidermal keratinocytes-specific PD-L1 knockout causes delayed healing of diabetic wounds

BackgroundDiabetic ulcers (DUs) is a common complication of diabetes, for which the morbidity and mortality increasing annually worldwide. The deficiency of PD-L1 in keratinocytes (KCs) may be linked to the diabetic wound healing impediments. ObjectiveOur study utilized transgenic mice to assess the functions of epidermal KCs-specific PD-L1 in DUs treatment. Methods and resultsEpidermal KCs-specific PD-L1 knockouted mice demonstrate deteriorated healing rates, concomitant with exacerbated inflammatory infiltration and excessive angiogenesis. The streptozotocin-induced murine diabetes model was used to imitate DUs in-vivo context, and the delayed healing was found under diabetic conditions. We then generated transgenic mice overexpressing PD-L1 in the epidermis. PD-L1 overexpression accelerate the DUs healing process accompanied by a reduction in inflammatory infiltration and a corresponding decreasion of angiogenesis. Therefore, overexpression of PD-L1 accelerates the healing process of DUs. ConclusionIn sum, epidermal KCs-specific PD-L1 plays vital roles in epidermis regeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and angiogenesis during DUs restoration, and would not be easily to format fibrous scar. Our study elucidated a new therapeutic idea for slow-healing wound care.

Reinforcing chitosan film with a natural nanofiller “Zein-methyl cellulose loaded curcumin” for improving its physicochemical properties and wound healing activity

Selecting the appropriate biomaterials for fabricating a wound dressing is an essential issue for accelerating the process of wound healing. The biopolymer “chitosan” attracted attention owing to its non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. However, chitosan showed poor mechanical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. These limitations can be encountered by its conjugation with a nanofiller reinforcing and improving the film properties. The proposed nanofiller, derived from zein-methylcellulose loaded curcumin (ZeinMCNPs) was incorporated with different concentrations into a chitosan matrix (Ch) forming Ch/ZeinMCNPs1-3 films. Ch/ZeinMCNPs3 film showed a significant improvement in tensile strength, elongation at break% and Young's modulus over Ch film. Notably, the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the Ch/ZeinMCNP1-3 films signified enhancement over chitosan. In wound rat model, wound healing contraction reached 96% and 98% for Ch/ZeinMCNPs2,3 opposite to 79% for Ch film. In Ch/ZeinMCNPs2,3 treated wounds, H&E tissues sections revealed a reduction in inflammation, an enhancement in re-epithelization and neovascularization. Furthermore, Ch/ZeinMCNPs2,3 films boosted more collagen deposition as shown in MTC sections. Ch/ZeinMCNPs2,3 significantly increased SOD level (at day 7 and14) with a decrease in MDA level. Overall, the present study declares Ch/ZeinMCNPs nanocomposite film as a multifunctional wound dressing category covering the necessitates required for accelerating wound healing process safely.

Biocompatible Electrospun Hydrogel Fibers for Advanced Wound Healing Therapies.

Wound healing is a complex cascade and is governed through a number of crucial factors. Conventional wound dressing possesses numerous limitations which hinder wound healing process and may result in serious infections and even mortality. A lot of effort have been put in through researchers to develop a multifaceted dressing which can address these limitations and facilitate accelerated wound healing. Among various newly developed dressings, electrospun hydrogel nanofibers have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials for advanced wound care and tissue engineering applications. These biomimetic fibers closely mimic the architect of the native extracellular matrix, providing an optimal environment that facilitates cellular proliferation and fast generation required for effective wound healing. Electrospinning offers versatility in precisely controlling fiber attributes such as diameter, alignment, and surface morphology and can entrap a variety of drugs with high efficacy. Recently, such dressings have advanced through the incorporation of smart features such as stimuli-responsive components, real-time wound monitoring sensors, and smart closed-loop systems. The electrospun hydrogels are bestowed with extreme porosity, water-retention attribute, biocompatibility, and modified drug release which make them superior over other wound dressings. The review gives an insight of electrospun hydrogel fibers and their application in wound healing and the studies assessing wound healing potential with underlying mechanisms have been critically analysed. Electrospun hydrogel fibers have significant potential to revolutionize wound care through their biomimetic structure, versatile customization, and capacity for integrating therapeutic and sensing capabilities, outlining future research directions toward next-generation wound care products.

Capsaicin/silica-infused polygalacturonic acid/polyvinyl alcohol nano-matrix for enhanced wound healing in skin injuries

Wound healing is a complex physiological process, demanding advanced strategies for efficient tissue regeneration. To address this, we developed a novel nanofibrous matrix composed of polygalacturonic acid (PGA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), capsaicin, and zinc-doped mesoporous silica (Zn/MCM-41). This copolymeric matrix offers enhanced mechanical stability, controlled drug release, and improved cellular adhesion and proliferation, leading to effective tissue regeneration. Infusing capsaicin/Zn-MCM-41 confers synergistic advantages, including accelerated wound closure, diminished inflammation, and enhanced tissue regeneration, culminating in superior wound healing outcomes. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization of the nanofiber was conducted, employing techniques such as EDS, EDX, XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, FTIR, BET, TGA, DSC and Zeta potential, confirming the successful synthesis of Zn/MCM-41 at the nanoscale, exhibiting uniform porosity, colloidal stability, and thermal resilience. In vivo quantitative assessment demonstrates a significant acceleration in wound healing facilitated by the composite nanofibers. Furthermore, the incorporation of capsaicin into Zn/MCM-41 augments the wound healing process, as corroborated by histological evaluations. In summary, our investigation introduces an advanced composite nanofiber formulation that promotes accelerated wound healing quantitatively through the synergistic amalgamation of PVA, PGA, capsaicin, and Zn/MCM-41. The demonstrated efficacy of the nanofibers underscores their potential in translational regenerative medicine and wound healing applications.

A Review on Nanocarrier-based Polyherbal Drug Delivery Systems for Wound Healing

Background: Nanotechnology-based polyherbal drug delivery systems are considered a new and rapidly emerging area in the pharmaceutical field. They improved the drug loading capacity or enhanced encapsulation efficiency of herbal drugs and thus improved permeation efficiency, accelerated wound healing, promoted tissue remodelling, and reduced scarring. Objective: A wound on the skin is an injury of the skin tissues that arises due to a cut or damage and also by an impact, blow, or other forces like a cut, surgery, chemical, heat, cold, friction, or illness like leg ulcers or carcinomas. These wounds result in the loss of skin's protective function by the removal of epithelium or connective tissues (i.e., muscle, bone, nerves). The four sequential but overlapping phases of the typical wound healing process are hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. By encouraging the growth and movement of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, as well as angiogenesis at the site of damage, it has been demonstrated that a polyherbal mixture composed of plant extraction accelerates the lesion recovery process. Polyherbal formulations contain phytoconstituents such as triterpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, quinones, and carotenoids etc. All these phytoconstituents are used for anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, and lesion recovery. At the same time, nanotechnology-based polyherbal formulation has the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional polyherbal formulation in wound healing. Wounds are better managed by polyherbal combination rather than an individual plant due to its synergism and fewer side effects. To include these polyherbal components and deliver them to the wound site in a more focused and sustained way, novel drug delivery systems are also being developed. Conclusion: This review discussed many nanotechnology-based polyherbal topical formulations for efficient and faster wound healing and recovery. Nanotechnology-based polyherbal formulations prove their success in promoting wound healing which is a unique approach to improving wound care and development of healthy skin.

Smart chitosan-based nanofibers for real-time monitoring and promotion of wound healing

Timely healing of acute wounds and stopping wound chronicity are current and future priorities in wound therapy. It is urgent and relevant to develop a wound dressing that has antimicrobial and monitors the wound microenvironment in real time. In this study, quaternary ammonium chitosan (HTCC) was selected as the antimicrobial agent and CS/PEO/HTCC nanofiber membranes (CPHs) were prepared by electrostatic spinning technique. The nanofiber membrane (CPH91) with the best antimicrobial performance was screened by the disk diffusion method and drug susceptibility testing by dilution method, and its antimicrobial effect on S. aureus was better than that of E. coli. Subsequently, functional carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized by solvothermal method and doped into CPH91 nanofibers by electrospinning. A good linear relationship between pH value (5.0–8.0) and the fluorescence intensity of CDs was observed. In addition, the nanofibers (CPH91@CDs) had good morphology, hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility. Changes in fluorescence intensity of CPH91@CDs at different pH (5.0–8.0) were monitored and converted into RGB values that were linearly fitted to pH value. Finally, the potential of CPH91@CDs of improving wound healing and instantaneously controlling wound healing process was confirmed by an infected wound model (S. aureus) on the back of SD rats.

Outcome and risk factors of ulcer healing after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely utilized for the treatment of large adenomas, submucosal lesions, and early gastric cancer. A significant artificial ulcer typically forms after ESD. Delayed or incomplete healing of these ulcers can result in complications such as delayed bleeding and perforation. However, a comprehensive review of the outcomes and risk factors related to ulcer healing following ESD is currently lacking. AIM To assess ulcer healing outcomes and identify risk factors associated with delayed ulcer healing. METHODS Databases retrieved by computer include PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Data, and VIP. The study collects reports on ESD post-surgical ulcer healing outcomes and risk factors, using Stata 16.0 and RevMan 5.0 software for meta-analysis. RESULTS Our analysis included 12 studies, involving a total of 3430 patients. The meta-analysis revealed an overall healing rate of 65.55% for ulcers following ESD [odds ratio (OR) = 2.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.45-3.00]. The healing rate within eight weeks was 48.32% (OR = 0.76; 95%CI: 0.35-1.66), while the rate beyond eight weeks was 88.32% (OR = 6.73; 95%CI: 3.82-11.87). Risk factors included Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) infection (OR: = 5.32; 95%CI: 1.90-14.87; P = 0.001), ulcer size (OR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.19-3.61; P = 0.01), lesion site (OR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.19-3.11), and pathological type (OR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.06-2.52). Diabetes (OR = 0.56; 95%CI: 0.05-5.80; P = 0.63) and duration of operation (OR = 1.00; 95%CI: 0.99-1.01; P = 0.96) were not significant factors. CONCLUSION The healing rate of ulcers following ESD is high after eight weeks. Risk factors affecting the healing process include H. pylori infection, ulcer size, lesion site, and pathological type.

Impact of Hyaluronic Acid and Other Re-Epithelializing Agents in Periodontal Regeneration: A Molecular Perspective

This narrative review delves into the molecular mechanisms of hyaluronic acid (HA) and re-epithelializing agents in the context of periodontal regeneration. Periodontitis, characterized by chronic inflammation and the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues, presents a significant challenge in restorative dentistry. Traditional non-surgical therapies (NSPTs) sometimes fail to fully manage subgingival biofilms and could benefit from adjunctive treatments. HA, with its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, and osteoinductive properties, offers promising therapeutic potential. This review synthesizes the current literature on the bioactive effects of HA and re-epithelializing agents, such as growth factors and biomaterials, in promoting cell migration, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. By modulating signaling pathways like the Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β, and CD44 interaction pathways, HA enhances wound healing processes and tissue regeneration. Additionally, the role of HA in facilitating cellular crosstalk between epithelial and connective tissues is highlighted, as it impacts the inflammatory response and ECM remodeling. This review also explores the combined use of HA with growth factors and cytokines in wound healing, revealing how these agents interact synergistically to optimize periodontal regeneration. Future perspectives emphasize the need for further clinical trials to evaluate the long-term outcomes of these therapies and their potential integration into periodontal treatment paradigms.

A IMPORTÂNCIA DOS CURATIVOS ESPECIAIS EM FERIDAS DE DÍFICIL CICATRIZAÇÃO EM PACIENTES DE UMA CLÍNICA EM VITÓRIA DA CONQUISTA– BA

Wounds that are difficult to heal are those associated with diseases such as DM, SAH, leprosy, neoplasm, neurological and vascular problems, and others. Special dressings are suitable for the treatment of these injuries and, therefore, appropriate care is recommended. This research aims to: evaluate the relationship between the evolution of the healing process and the use of special dressings. This is a cross-sectional, quantitative and exploratory field research conducted in a clinic that specializes in wound prevention and treatment. The study included adults aged 60 to 70 years (50%), with lower limb injury (91.7%) over 1 year (58.3%), pathogenic history of Diabetes Mellitus and Systemic Arterial Hypertension (58.3%). %), adequate nutrition (91.7%), move independently (66.7%), diabetic foot and chronic wound (58.3%), deep wound involvement (83.3%), injured tissue granulated (75%), wounds with exudates and fibrosis (58.3%), moderate (50%) and mild (50%) pain, wound skin / edema (66.7%), macerated (91, 7%) and desquamative (66.7%). The lesions contain serous (41.7%), turbid (41.7%) and moderate (66.7%) exudates and characteristic odor (58.3%). The treatment is done with calcium alginate (66.7%), dressing up to 2 days (58.3%), with evolution in its entirety (100%). In view of the above, it is necessary to use these types of special covers to treat chronic injuries, but also the importance of comprehensive patient care, including the means of prevention, monitoring and treatment of existing co morbidities in order to obtain expected results.

OZONIOTERAPIA EM CONTAMINAÇÃO DE FERIDA CIRÚRGICARELATO DE CASO EM CÃO CAUDECTOMIZADO

Integrative medicine offers a wide variety of therapies that can be associated with conventional medicine, providing patients appropriate treatment with satisfactory results. Among the therapies used in integrative medicine, we have ozone therapy, which is widely used for various purposes due to its bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal properties and the fact that it has practically no side effects with low toxicity, being used in chronic pathological conditions, in cases of dermatitis, ulcers and redness, burns and wound healing processes. The case report shows a healing process promoted by ozone therapy and associated therapies in a dog, presenting positive results. Ozone is a colorless gas with a characteristic odor and analgesic and anti-inflammatory functions, also contributing to the immune system and body oxygenation of animals. It can be applied in distinct ways, split into local or systemic, and can be subcutaneous, intravaginal, blood therapies, bagging and cupping methods. In addition, the technique offers low cost and promotes an improvement in the animal's quality of life.

Evidence Supporting Conservative Scar Management Interventions Following Burn Injury: a review article.

Conservative management for hypertrophic scars (HSc) and scar contractures is of utmost importance to optimally reintegrate burn survivors into society. Many conservative treatment interventions have been described in the literature for the management of HSc. Recent advancements in the literature pertaining to post-burn scarring and HSc formation, have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms that support or refute the use of common rehabilitation treatment modalities after burn injury. This is particularly relevant for recent advancements in the fields of mechanotransduction and neurogenic inflammation resulting in the need for rehabilitation clinicians to reflect upon commonly employed treatment interventions. The aim of this review article is to summarize and clinically apply the evidence that supports or refutes the use of common conservative treatment interventions for scar management employed after burn injury. The following treatments are discussed and mechanotransduction and neurogenic inflammation concepts are highlighted: 1) edema management (compression, positioning/elevation, pumping exercises, retrograde massage, manual edema mobilization), 2) pressure therapy (including custom fabricated pressure garments, inserts, face masks, and other low-load long duration orthotic devices), 3) gels or gel sheets, 4) combined pressure therapy and gels, 5) serial casting, 6) scar massage, and 7) passive stretching. This review supports the following statements: 1) Compression for edema reduction should be initiated 48-72 hrs post-injury and continued for wounds that require longer than 21 days to heal until scar maturation; 2) Elevation, pumping exercises and retrograde massage/MEM should be used in combination with other edema management techniques; 3) Custom fabricated pressure garments should be applied once the edema is stabilized and adequate healing has occurred. Garments should be monitored on a regular basis to ensure that optional pressure, >15mm Hg, is maintained, adding inserts when necessary. The wearing time should be >16 hrs/day; 4) Gels for post-burn scar management should extend beyond the scar; 5) Serial casting should be applied when contractures interfere with function; 6) Forceful scar massage should be avoided early in the wound healing process or when the scar is inflamed or breaks down; 7) Other treatment modalities should be prioritized over passive stretching for scar management.

EL HÁBITO DE FUMAR Y SU INFLUENCIA EN LA CONSOLIDACIÓN ÓSEA: UNA REVISIÓN INTEGRADORA

Smoking is considered one of the risk factors for various diseases, not only related to the respiratory system but also influencing the physiological processes of various organs and body systems. This article aims to deepen the understanding of the effects of smoking on bone healing by analyzing its molecular, cellular, and clinical bases. This process is subject to possible direct or indirect interferences from chemical substances such as nicotine. It is important to note that, besides conventional cigarettes, there is also indiscriminate use of electronic cigarettes, which, according to an analysis conducted by Pérez and Duarte (2022), have considerably higher nicotine levels than traditional cigarettes. Another study conducted by González et al. (2021) highlights the increasing popularity of these devices among young people, underscoring the importance of preventive measures. According to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), inhaling tobacco smoke increases bone tissue healing time by 60%, thus delaying the body's ability to heal injuries and compromising bone absorption. The clinical repercussions of smoking on the quality and speed of bone recovery after fractures and orthopedic procedures are identified to improve understanding and develop specific clinical strategies and interventions for smoking patients. The specific objectives of this research were to: investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the bone healing process, analyze the effects of smoking on the quality of the formed tissue, evaluate the influence of smoking on the bone healing time in patients after fracture or orthopedic surgery, and finally propose therapeutic strategies and preventive measures to improve bone healing. To this end, a bibliographic search was conducted on articles relevant to the topic using various means. The selection of articles was based on three stages, choosing those that met the inclusion criteria. During the development of this article, it is observed that smoking is an extended and ancestral practice, being a constant and emerging health problem. Additionally, it is considered a modifiable risk factor for decreasing bone density. In conclusion, the need for specific strategies to address complications in bone healing in smoking patients is highlighted.

Macrophages: Key players in diabetic wound healing

In this editorial, we discuss the article by Wen et al published. Diabetic foot ulcers are prevalent and serious complications of diabetes, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and often leading to disability or death, thereby placing a heavy burden on society. Effective diabetic wound healing is hindered by an imbalance in macrophage polarization; many macrophages fail to transition from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, which is crucial for tissue remodelling and repair. The wound healing process is both dynamic and complex. Healthy M1 macrophages, which have strong phagocytic abilities, are vital during the inflammatory phase of diabetic wound healing. However, the failure to transition to M2 macrophages during the proliferative phase hinders wound healing. We anticipate the development of new therapies that can repair damaged M1 macrophages during the inflammatory phase and promote M2 macrophage polarization during the proliferative phase, thereby enhancing the overall healing process.

Study on anti-adhesion effect and mechanism of dynamic and static stress stimulation during early healing process of rat Achilles tendon injury

To investigate the anti-adhesive effect and underlying mechanism of dynamic and static stress stimulation on the early healing process of rat Achilles tendon injury. Achilles tendon tissues of 15 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats aged 4-6 weeks were isolated and cultured by enzyme digestion method. Rat Achilles tendon cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor α to construct the Achilles tendon injury cell model, and dynamic stress stimulation (dynamic group) and static stress stimulation (static group) were applied respectively, while the control group was not treated. Live/dead cell double staining was used to detect cell activity, ELISA assay was used to detect the expression of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of collagen type Ⅰ (COL1A1), collagen type Ⅲ (COL3A1), and Scleraxis (SCX). Thirty male SD rats aged 4-6 weeks underwent Achilles tendon suture and were randomly divided into dynamic group (treated by dynamic stress stimulation), static group (treated by static stress stimulation), and control group (untreated), with 10 rats in each group. HE staining and scoring were performed to evaluate the healing of Achilles tendon at 8 days after operation. COL1A1 and COL3A1 protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemical staining, α-SMA and SCX protein expressions were detected by Western blot, and maximum tendon breaking force and tendon stiffness were detected by biomechanical stretching test. In vitro cell experiment, when compared to the static group, the number of living cells in the dynamic group was higher, the expression of α-SMA protein was decreased, the relative expression of COL3A1 mRNA was decreased, and the relative expression of SCX mRNA was increased, and the differences were all significant ( P<0.05). In the in vivo animal experiment, when compared to the static group, the tendon healing in the dynamic group was better, the HE staining score was lower, the expression of COL1A1 protein was increased, the expression of COL3A1 protein was decreased, the relative expression of SCX protein was increased, the relative expression of α-SMA protein was decreased, and the tendon stiffness was increased, the differences were all significant ( P<0.05). Compared with static stress stimulation, the dynamic stress stimulation improves the fibrosis of the scar tissue of the rat Achilles tendon, promote the recovery of the biomechanical property of the Achilles tendon, and has obvious anti-adhesion effect.

Role of intralesional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy in the treatment of recalcitrant oral ulcers of pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus Vulgaris is a chronic, autoimmune vesiculobullous disorder in which 80-90% of patients develop oral lesions and in 60% of cases, oral lesions are the first sign. The platelet-rich concentrate present in autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has a high concentration of growth factors that promote the synthesis of collagen and extracellular matrix. The wound healing property of PRP can be used to treat recalcitrant oral ulcers of pemphigus as it accelerates the healing process, prevents the patients from side effects of steroids, and reduces the pain and discomfort of the patients. To assess the role of intralesional Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy in the treatment of recalcitrant oral ulcers of pemphigus vulgaris. A total of 15 histo-pathologically proven cases of Pemphigus Vulgaris under treatment, in whom the skin lesions had healed up to 90% but the oral ulcers were still persistent were included in the study. The severity of the ulcers were monitored by calculating the POLIS (Pemphigus Oral Lesion Intensity Score). Autologous intralesional PRP was administered in 3 sittings 7 days apart and the result was evaluated by change in POLIS score after each sitting. The data was analyzed using SPSS IBM version 26.0. Out of the total cases, 12 patients were female and 3 were male. Intralesional PRP was found to accelerate the healing of recalcitrant oral erosions. It was found that POLIS was reduced after every PRP session. The paired t-test was conducted to compare the mean scores of POLIS-0 and POLIS-3. The result indicates a significant difference between the pre-intervention mean score POLIS-0 (M=19, SD=3.25) and post-intervention mean score POLIS-3 (M=6.6, SD=2.97), t(14)=13.33,p&amp;#60;0.001. Intralesional PRP has been found to improve the recalcitrant oral ulcers of pemphigus vulgaris. Hence, it can be a treatment option where oral and topical corticosteroids fail to respond or are contraindicated.

Role of Nutrition and Hydration in Injury Prevention and Recovery: A Review

Introduction and Purpose: Nutrition and hydration play critical roles in supporting athletic performance, injury prevention, and effective recovery, impacting both amateur and elite athletes. This literature review explores current evidence on nutritional and hydration strategies that promote musculoskeletal health, reduce injury risk, and optimize recovery following injury. Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, focusing on articles published up until the end of 2023. Keywords used in the search included: “nutrition strategies”, “hydration”, “injury prevention”, “nutrition” and “recovery”. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the topic and quality of evidence. Results: The review reveals that hydration plays a critical role in reducing the risk of injury and optimizing recovery. Dehydration is associated with increased muscle fatigue, cramps, and a greater likelihood of heat-related injuries, impairing physical performance. Furthermore, nutritional strategies, particularly protein intake post-exercise, are essential for muscle recovery, reducing inflammation, and speeding up the healing process. Conclusions: Implementing appropriate dietary strategies, including adequate hydration, balanced macronutrient intake, and electrolyte replenishment, can significantly reduce the risk of injury, enhance performance, and accelerate recovery times.

Hormonal interventions in skin wounds - a mini review.

The ability to heal from wounds is perhaps the most important biological function that ensures our survival and perpetuation. Cutaneous wound healing typically consists of four characteristic stages, namely hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, which are carefully carried out by coordinated actions of various cells, cytokines, and hormones. Incoordination of these steps may impede complete and efficient reconstruction and functional recovery of wounds or even lead to worsened outcomes. Hormones, as powerful modulators of organ functions, participate in multiple steps of the wound healing process and play a pivotal role by choreographing the complex interplay of cellular and molecular events. Leveraging the regulatory effects of hormones to enhance the healing process, hormonal therapy has emerged as a promising approach in the clinical treatment of wounds. Current research has focused on determination of the optimal dosages, delivery methods, and combinations of hormonal therapies to maximize their therapeutic benefits while minimizing potential side effects. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms, clinical benefits and side effects of the most commonly used hormones in clinical treatment of wounds.

Enhancing Skin Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice Using SIKVAV-Modified Chitosan Hydrogels

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a prevalent chronic disease caused by various factors, significantly impact patients’ quality of life due to prolonged healing times and increased infection risks. Current treatment modalities, including pharmacological, physical, and surgical interventions, often yield limited efficacy and adverse effects, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. The objective of this research is to create SIKVAV-modified chitosan hydrogels with the intention of improving the process of skin wound healing in diabetic mice. We synthesized the hydrogels and established a diabetic mice model with skin wounding to evaluate its healing effects and underlying mechanisms. The results of our study indicate that the SIKVAV-modified chitosan hydrogels markedly enhance the wound healing process in diabetic mice. This effect may be attributed to several mechanisms, including differentiation of fibroblasts, proliferation of keratinocytes, the promotion of angiogenesis, stimulation of collagen synthesis, upregulation of growth factor expression, and possible involvement of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. This research not only provides a new biomaterial for the treatment of diabetic wounds but also elucidates the related molecular mechanisms involved in wound healing of DFUs, offering valuable insights for future clinical applications.

Adhesive, Stretchable, and Photothermal Antibacterial Hydrogel Dressings for Wound Healing of Infected Skin Burn at Joints.

Dressings for infectious skin burn wounds at joints should have therapeutic functions as well as high tissue-adhesion, stretching, and self-healing properties. This makes it difficult for most hydrogel dressings to simultaneously meet the above-mentioned requirements. In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol), anhydrous sodium borax, epigallocatechin gallate, and copper chloride were used to prepare a hydrogel dressing (PBEC) for the infected burn wound healing at joints. The PBEC hydrogel can adhere to a variety of substrates, has a stretching capacity, and quickly self-healing after being damaged. Additionally, the PBEC hydrogel has the properties of reactive oxygen species scavenging, photothermal sterilization, hemostatic ability, and biocompatibility. Finally, the hydrogel could accelerate the process of wound healing in vivo, especially with the assistance of near-infrared radiation. Therefore, the hydrogel dressing shows great potential for clinical application in the healing of infected burn wounds at joints.

Characterization of Schiff base self-healing hydrogels by dynamic speckle pattern analysis.

Self-healing hydrogels are emerging materials capable of restoring functionality after damage, making them highly suitable for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, wound healing, and drug delivery. In this study, we synthesize and characterize a novel biodegradable, conductive, and self-healing hydrogel. The synthesis is based on a Schiff base formed between gelatin and hyaluronic acid, and the dynamic reversible Schiff base bond provides the self-healing property. To characterize and assess the self-healing behavior of the hydrogel, dynamic speckle pattern (DSP) analysis is introduced as a non-destructive, non-contact, and easy-to-implement method. Speckle patterns are formed upon scattering of laser light from a diffusive matter and includes a huge overall information about the sample, to be extracted by statistical processing. DSP analysis is employed to monitor the self-healing process of the hydrogel at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Experimental procedure involve in situ acquisition of speckle patterns over time under controlled environmental conditions, followed by statistical analysis to evaluate the internal dynamics of the healing process. Several statistical parameters are computed for real-time monitoring of the self-healing property of the hydrogel. The findings, on the one hand, underscore the potential of Schiff base hydrogels in advanced biomedical applications where self-healing properties are critical for sustained performance and longevity. On the other hand, the introduced analysis method shows its potential to serve as an effective approach for biomaterial characterization.