Electrical Stimulation for Wound Healing: Opportunities for E-Textiles

Galvanic Cell Bipolar Microneedle Patches for Reversing Photoaging Wrinkles

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major factor in the development of skin photoaging wrinkles. While current treatments can slow the progression of photoaging, it is very difficult to achieve complete reversal. This study introduces galvanic cell microneedle (GCMN) patches with magnesium-containing bipolar electrodes. These patches operate through a galvanic cell mechanism, generating microcurrents and releasing hydrogen gas and magnesium ions via a redox reaction. The combination of hydrogen's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, microcurrent-induced stimulation of cell migration, and magnesium's promotion of angiogenesis and macrophage M2 anti-inflammatory polarization synergistically works to reverse photoaging wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin. Furthermore, this work examines how GCMNs may influence the transforming growth factor-β/Smad (TGF-β/Smad) pathway. This approach shows promise for advancing research and development in the field of medical cosmetology.

Microneedles in diabetic wound care: multifunctional solutions for enhanced healing

Diabetic wounds present a significant challenge in clinical treatment and are characterized by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired angiogenesis, peripheral neuropathy, and a heightened risk of infection during the healing process. By creating small channels in the surface of the skin, microneedle technology offers a minimally invasive and efficient approach for drug delivery and treatment. This article begins by outlining the biological foundation of normal skin wound healing and the unique pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetic wounds. It then delves into the various types, materials, and preparation processes of microneedles. The focus is on the application of multifunctional microneedles in diabetic wound treatment, highlighting their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, angiogenic and neural repair properties. These multifunctional microneedles demonstrate synergistic therapeutic effects by directly influencing the wound microenvironment, ultimately accelerating the healing of diabetic wounds. The advancement of microneedle technology not only holds promise for enhancing the treatment outcomes of diabetic wounds but also offers new strategies for addressing other chronic wounds.

Electrical Microneedles for Wound Treatment

Electrical stimulation has been hotpot research and provoked extensive interest in a broad application such as wound closure, tissue injury repair, and nerve engineering. In particular, immense efforts have been dedicated to developing electrical microneedles, which demonstrate unique features in terms of controllable drug release, real-time monitoring, and therapy, thus greatly accelerating the process of wound healing. Here, a review of state-of-art research concerning electrical microneedles applied for wound treatment is presented. After a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms of electrical stimulation on wound healing, the derived three types of electrical microneedles are clarified and summarized. Further, their applications in wound healing are highlighted. Finally, current perspectives and directions for the development of future electrical microneedles in improving wound healing are addressed.

Magneto-responsive biocomposites in wound healing: from characteristics to functions

The number of patients with non-healing wounds continuously increases, and has become a prominent societal issue that imposes a heavy burden on both patients and the entire healthcare system. Although traditional dressings play an important role in wound healing, the complexity and diversity of the healing process pose serious challenges in this field. Magneto-responsive biocomposites, with their excellent biocompatibility, remote spatiotemporal controllability, and unique convenience, demonstrate enticing advantages in the field of wound dressings. However, current research on magneto-responsive biocomposites as wound dressings lacks comprehensive and in-depth reviews, which to some extent, restricts the deeper understanding and further development of this field. Based on this, this paper reviews the latest advances in magnetic responsive wound dressings for wound healing. First, we review the process of skin wound healing and parameters for assessing repair progress. Then, we systematically discuss the preparation strategies and unique characteristics of magneto-responsive biocomposites, focusing on magneto-induced orientation, magneto-induced mechanical stimulation, and magnetocaloric effect. Subsequently, this review elaborates the multiple mechanisms of magneto-responsive biocomposites in promoting wound healing, including regulating cell behavior, enhancing electrical signal, controlling drug release, and accelerating tissue reconstruction. Finally, we further propose the development direction and future challenges of magnetic responsive biomaterials as wound dressings in clinical application.

From hemostasis to proliferation: Accelerating the infected wound healing through a comprehensive repair strategy based on GA/OKGM hydrogel loaded with MXene@TiO2 nanosheets

The treatment of infected wounds poses a formidable challenge in clinical practice due to the detrimental effects of uncontrolled bacterial infection and excessive oxidative stress, resulting in prolonged inflammation and impaired wound healing. In this study, we presented a MXene@TiO2 (MT) nanosheets loaded composite hydrogel named as GA/OKGM/MT hydrogel, which was formed based on the Schiff base reaction between adipic dihydrazide modified gelatin (GA)and Oxidized Konjac Glucomannan (OKGM), as the wound dressing. During the hemostasis phase, the GA/OKGM/MT hydrogel demonstrated effective adherence to the skin, facilitating rapid hemostasis. In the subsequent inflammation phase, the GA/OKGM/MT hydrogel effectively eradicated bacteria through MXene@TiO2-induced photothermal therapy (PTT) and eliminated excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby facilitating the transition from the inflammation phase to the proliferation phase. During the proliferation phase, the combined application of GA/OKGM/MT hydrogel with electrical stimulation (ES) promoted fibroblast proliferation and migration, leading to accelerated collagen deposition and angiogenesis at the wound site. Overall, the comprehensive repair strategy based on the GA/OKGM/MT hydrogel demonstrated both safety and reliability. It expedited the progression through the hemostasis, inflammation, and proliferation phases of wound healing, showcasing significant potential for the treatment of infected wounds.