In an exceptional breakthrough, researchers have discovered a cost-effective anti-inflammatory hydrogel with the potential to treat persistent skin lesions, a prevalent issue in diabetic patients. The detailed research published in the journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy stems from animal studies and promises new possibilities in the fight against diabetes-related complications.Highest number of diabetes casesThe International Diabetes Federation ranks Brazil as the sixth country with the highest number of diabetes cases, with this epidemic condition now ranking as the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. A staggering 17.7 million Brazilians grapple with metabolic disruptions due to diminished insulin secretion and action, paving the way for debilitating complications like nephropathy (kidney damage), neuropathy, and sluggish wound healing. Notably, one in every five diabetics faces the grim prospect of chronic lesions, including severe conditions like foot ulcers.High blood sugar levelsIn general, the human bodys innate healing mechanisms initiate an intricate cascade of events upon encountering skin injury, leading to rapid recovery. Platelet aggregation triggers the process by staunching bleeding and providing platforms for clotting and cell growth. Later new blood cells are generated, and collagen is laid down. However, diabetics contend with elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), which trigger the production of reactive oxygen species, perpetuating inflammation and hampering blood vessel development.Biological hydrogels have demonstrated their efficacy in expediting wound healing by fostering a moist and sterile environment. In this pioneering study, researchers from Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) and the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) engineered a hydrogel formulation centered around annexin A1 (AnxA1), a protein pivotal in inflammation regulation and cell proliferation, as substantiated by their prior work.Outcomes of ResearchThe outcomes of this investigation highlighted the hydrogels ability to modulate the wound microenvironment, nurturing tissue regeneration. Tests on mice with induced type 1 diabetes and subjected to skin lesions created with a biopsy punch revealed the results. Within three days of application, the number of inflammatory cells significantly decreased, and by the 14th day, the wounds had completely healed. In contrast, the control group, comprising diabetic mice treated with a hydrogel lacking the crucial peptide, witnessed ongoing acute wound inflammation beyond the third day.Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays confirmed the hydrogels brilliant biocompatibility, ensuring its safety for diabetic wound treatment. Sonia Maria Oliani, the last author of the paper and a professor at UNESPs Institute of Biosciences, Letters, and Exact Sciences (IBILCE) as well as UNIFESPs Program of Graduate Studies in Functional and Structural Biology, emphasized the hydrogels effectiveness in providing the optimal moisture levels needed for accelerated healing. She said, Its an effective option to expand the therapeutic arsenal for treating diabetic wounds, offering renewed hope for countless individuals grappling with these challenging complications.
