Dual-functional hybrid quaternized chitosan/Mg/alginate dressing with antibacterial and angiogenic potential for diabetic wound healing

Abstract

Background Clinic treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is considerably challenging. Impaired wound healing may be caused by poor vascularization and dysfunction of the extracellular matrix, which leads to poor re-epithelialization and increased risk of infection. In this study, we evaluated the treatment potential of a functional dressing comprising quaternized chitosan (hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan) and magnesium (Mg) on DFUs. Methods Dressings were prepared by vacuum freeze-drying. The cellular proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis potential of the functional dressings were determined in vitro. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA , ATCC43300) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis 287 (MRSE287) were used to evaluate the antibacterial efficiency of the dressings. Finally, a diabetic rat model with infected wounds was used to further evaluate the effects of functional dressings on the healing of DFUs. Results Functional dressings facilitated the migration of human dermal fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), while also stimulating angiogenesis in HUVECs. Additionally, the functional dressing could effectively eradicate MRSA and MRSE, exhibiting excellent antibacterial ability against drug-resistant bacteria. The results of in vivo microbiological and histological tests demonstrated effective anti-infection ability and wound-healing potential of this functional dressing. Conclusions The dual-functional dressing exhibited wound-healing ability and anti-infection efficiency, demonstrating potential application prospects in DFU treatment. Translational potential of this article As one of the common and serious complications of diabetes, DFUs do not heal easily, causing great suffering to patients. Therefore, improvement in the prognosis of DFUs is a crucial clinical need. The dual-functional dressing prepared in this study was proven to improve the treatment of DFUs, both in vitro and in vivo. Considering its urgent clinical necessity and good biocompatibility of its raw materials, such as alginate, Mg, and chitosan derivatives, this dual-functional dressing presents good prospects for clinical translation.

An Up-to-Date Review of Biomaterials Application in Wound Management

“…An interesting strategy for treating diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) via alginate-based dressings is proposed by Wang et al [ 91 ]. The scientists created an alginate wound dressing containing magnesium and hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan, which presented good prospects for clinical translation.…”

Antibacterial Designs for Implantable Medical Devices: Evolutions and Challenges

“…Ag NPs and pro-angiogenic deferoxamine were encapsulated in a pH-responsive hydrogel developed via double-crosslinking between chitosan quaternary ammonium salt and oxidized dextran-dopamine, achieving pH-sensitive feature in drug release and accelerated healing of infected diabetic wounds [ 160 ]. The antibacterial efficacy of hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan is related to the substitution degree of its quaternary ammonium group [ 210 ]. This chitosan derivative cooperates with magnesium ions (magnesium chloride) in calcium alginate, yielding an antibacterial and angiogenic dressing for the treatment of infected diabetic wounds [ 210 ].…”

“…The antibacterial efficacy of hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan is related to the substitution degree of its quaternary ammonium group [ 210 ]. This chitosan derivative cooperates with magnesium ions (magnesium chloride) in calcium alginate, yielding an antibacterial and angiogenic dressing for the treatment of infected diabetic wounds [ 210 ].…”

The emerging translational potential of GDF11 in chronic wound healing

“…Diabetic ulcers are usually accompanied with neuropathy, infection, and impaired blood supply. Peripheral nerve damage causes sensation loss loses and increased incidents of skin lesion, combined with ischemia and impairment of repair capacity, eventually leading to non-healing wounds [ 19 , 20 ]. In diabetic ulcers, neutrophils have impaired anti-bactericidal activities and monocytes become less responsive to chemokines.…”