Injectable conductive and angiogenic hydrogels for chronic diabetic wound treatment

Abstract

Chronic diabetic wounds are lack of angiogenesis and susceptible to bacterial infections due to their high sugar microenvironment, making them difficult to heal. Here, a conductive and intrinsically antibacterial hydrogel with pH responsiveness has been developed. This hydrogel has good mechanical properties, self-healing ability and biocompatibility, and can smartly release the pro-angiogenic drug, deferoxamine. Application of the hydrogel promotes the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and enhances vascularization by upregulating the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor. The hydrogel dressing combined with electrical stimulation improves angiogenesis and significantly accelerates the healing of infected diabetic wounds, which would lead to a promising therapeutic strategy.

Keywords: Chronic wounds; Conductive hydrogel; Electrical stimulation; Vascularization.