Bilayer hydrogel with a protective film and a regenerative hydrogel for effective diabetic wound treatment

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are one of the most serious complications of diabetes, often leading to necrosis and amputation. DFU is caused by the intricate diabetic microenvironment, including ischemia, hypoxia, hyperinflammation, reduced angiogenesis, and persistent infection. Traditional wound dressings made of single or mixed materials often struggle to meet all the requirements for effective diabetic wound healing. In contrast, multilayer dressings comprising more than single layers have the potential to address these challenges by combining their diverse chemical and physical properties. In this study, we developed a bilayer hydrogel comprising a GelMA-ALG-nano-ZnO protective film and a COL1-PRP regenerative hydrogel for facilitating diabetic wound healing. We demonstrated the protective properties against bacterial infection of the protective film, while highlighting the regenerative potential of the COL1-PRP hydrogel in promoting fibroblast and MUVEC migration, extracellular matrix secretion and deposition, and angiogenesis. Importantly, the bilayer hydrogel exhibited superior efficacy in promoting full-thickness wound healing in a diabetic rat model compared to its single-layer hydrogel counterparts. This multi-layer approach offers a promising strategy for addressing the complexities of diabetic foot treatment and improving clinical outcomes.