Hydrogels Containing Chitosan-Modified Gold Nanoparticles Show Significant Efficacy in Healing Diabetic Wounds Infected with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Overview

Journal Int J Nanomedicine

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Biotechnology

Date 2024 Feb 26

PMID 38406603

Authors

Hongqi Meng

Ying Zhao

Hang Cai

Di You

Ying Wang

Siyu Wu

Yixin Wang

Wenlai Guo

Wenrui Qu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Persistent Infections and inflammation are associated with impaired wound healing in diabetic patients. There is a pressing demand for innovative antimicrobial strategies to address infections arising from antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Polymer-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) show broad-spectrum antibacterial properties and significant biocompatibility. This study investigated the antibacterial and wound healing efficacy of hydrogel dressings conjugated with chitosan-AuNPs in diabetic model rats.

Methods: Chitosan (CS)-functionalized gold nanoparticles (CS-AuNPs) were incorporated into hydrogel dressings (Gel/CS-AuNPs), which were formulated through the chemical cross-linking of gelatin with sodium alginate (SA). The basic characteristics of Gel/CS-AuNPs were analyzed by TEM, SEM, XRD, and UV-visible spectra. Rheological, swelling, degradation, and adhesive properties of Gel/CS-AuNPs were also determined. In vitro anti-bactericidal effects of the Gel/CS-AuNPs were analyzed with , and . In vitro biocompatibility of the Gel/CS-AuNPs was evaluated using NIH3T3 cells. The in vivo antibacterial and wound healing efficacy of the Gel/CS-AuNPs was analyzed in the diabetic wound model rats. Histological and immunofluorescence staining were performed to determine the status of angiogenesis, epithelization, inflammation response, and collagen deposition.

Results: Gel/CS-AuNPs demonstrated significant high biodegradability, water absorption bactericidal, and biocompatibility, and slight adhesiveness. Gel/CS-AuNPs exhibited pronounced antibacterial efficacy against gram-negative, gram-positive, and in a CS-AuNPs-dose-dependent manner. In the diabetic wound model rats, Gel/CS-AuNPs effectively killed , reduced inflammation, and promoted angiogenesis and collagen deposition and remodeling at the wound site. As a result, Gel/CS-AuNPs expedited the recovery process for infected diabetic wounds. Among the hydrogels with different CS-AuNPs concentrations, Gel/CS-Au with 25% CS-AuNPs showed the best bactericidal and wound healing performance.

Conclusion: Gel/CS-AuNPs significantly improve the healing of -infected diabetic wounds in the rat model. Therefore, Gel/CS-AuNPs show great promise for the treatment of diabetic infection wound healing.

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