Nanofibrous polycaprolactone/gelatin scaffold containing gold nanoparticles: Physicochemical and biological characterization for wound healing.

In this study, gold nanoparticles were loaded into poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/gelatin nanofibrous matrices to fabricate a potential wound dressing. The mats were produced by electrospinning of PCL/gelatin solution supplemented with synthesized gold nanoparticles (200, 400 and 800 ppm). Prepared scaffolds were investigated regarding their chemical properties, morphology, mechanical properties, surface wettability, water-uptake capacity, water vapor permeability, porosity, blood compatibility, microbial penetration test and cellular response. In addition to in vivo study, a full-thickness excisional wound in a rat model was used to evaluate the healing effect of prepared scaffolds. Results showed appropriate mechanical properties and porosity of prepared scaffolds. With L929 cells, the PCL/gelatin scaffold containing 400 ppm gold nanoparticles demonstrated the greatest cell growth. In vivo results validated the favorable wound-healing benefits of the scaffold incorporating gold nanoparticles, which triggered wound healing compared to sterile gauze. Our results showed the capability of nanofibrous matrices containing gold nanoparticles for successful wound treatment.

Effects of Tumor Microenvironment on the Primo Vascular Pattern in the Mouse Model of Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Background: : Tumor survival, promotion, and metastatic functions are regulated by the tumor microenvironment (TME). The primo vascular system (PVS), the third circulatory system in animals, is currently thought to be a highly effective pathway for the spread of cancer cells. Objectives: : In the present study, we intend to determine the TME effects on the PVS pattern in breast cancer for the first time. Methods: : Heterotopic and orthotopic metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) mice models were created. After 35 days, the skin was retracted, and a 2 cm skin incision was made up and down from the surface of the tumor tissue. In preparation for PVS staining, the dyes (trypan blue and alamarBlue) were injected throughout the tumor tissues. Under a stereomicroscope, PVS in heterotopic and orthotopic tumors was seen. Results: : According to our data, there are no appreciable variations in PVS patterns and density between heterotopic and orthotopic animal models. Furthermore, alamarBlue is a good option for tumor PVS staining, as demonstrated by our research. Conclusion: : For the first time, our data gave significant new information about the PVS in TNBC. Creating new anti-cancer treatments may be made possible by a better understanding of the biological characteristics of the TME and PVS.

A novel hydrogel containing 4-methylcatechol for skin regeneration: in vitro and in vivo study.

Skin damages are usual physical injuries and different studies have been done to improve wound healing. Hydrogel due to its properties like a moist environment and cooling wound site is a good option for wound treatment. In this study, we evaluated the consequence of using alginate/chitosan hydrogel contained various dosages of 4-Methylcatechol (0, 0.1, 1% (W/W)) on wound healing. After hydrogel fabrication, different tests like SEM, swelling, release, weight loss, and hemo- and cytocompatibility were done to characterize fabricated hydrogels. Finally, the rat model was used to assess Alginate/Chitosan hydrogel's therapeutic function containing 0.1 and 1% of 4-Methylcatechol. The pore size of hydrogel was between 24.5 ± 9 and 62.1 ± 11.63 µm and about 90% of hydrogel was lost after 14 days in the weight loss test. Blood compatibility and MTT assay showed that hydrogels were nontoxic and improved cell proliferation. In vivo test showed that Alginate/Chitosan/0.1%4-Methylcatechol improved wound healing and the results were significantly better than the gauze-treated wound. Our results showed dose depending effect of 4-Methylcatechol on wound healing. This study shows the treatment effect of 4-Methylcatechol on wound healing and the possibility of using it for treating skin injuries.

Hydrogel nanocomposite based on alginate/zeolite for burn wound healing: In vitro and in vivo study.

Objectives: The main objective of the current assay was to evaluate the antibacterial and regenerative effects of hydrogel nanocomposite containing pure natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) integrated with alginate (Alg) as wound healing/dressing biomaterials. Materials and Methods: The zeolites were size excluded, characterized by SEM, DLS, XRD, FTIR, and XRF, and then integrated into Alg hydrogel followed by calcium chloride crosslinking. The Alg and alginate zeolite (Alg/Zeo) hydrogel was characterized by swelling and weight loss tests, also the antibacterial, hemocompatibility, and cell viability tests were performed. In animal studies, the burn wound was induced on the back of rats and treated with the following groups: control, Alg hydrogel, and Alg/Zeo hydrogel. Results: The results showed that the hydrodynamic diameter of zeolites was 367 ± 0.2 nm. Zeolites did not show any significant antibacterial effect, however, the hydrogel nanocomposite containing zeolite had proper swelling as well as hemocompatibility and no cytotoxicity was observed. Following the creation of a third-degree burn wound on the back of rats, the results indicated that the Alg hydrogel and Alg/Zeo nanocomposite accelerated the wound healing process compared with the control group. Re-epithelialization, granulation tissue thickness, collagenization, inflammatory cell recruitment, and angiogenesis level were not significantly different between Alg and Alg/Zeo nanocomposite. Conclusion: These findings revealed that although the incorporation of zeolites did not induce a significant beneficial effect in comparison with Alg hydrogel, using zeolite capacity in hydrogel for loading the antibiotics or other effective compounds can be considered a promising wound dressing.

Improving sciatic nerve regeneration by using alginate/chitosan hydrogel containing berberine.

Peripheral nerve injuries are the common results of trauma that lead to pain and handicap in patients. Berberine due to its properties like antibiotic, immunostimulant, antitumor, antimotility, and positive effect on neurological disorders can be used to enhance peripheral nerve injuries. In this study, alginate/chitosan hydrogel containing different concentrations of berberine (0, 0.1, 1, 10% (w/v)) was created, evaluated, and applied as a scaffold for sciatic nerve regeneration. To prepare hydrogel, sodium alginate was dissolved in distilled water and cross-linked with CaCl2, and chitosan was dissolved in acetic acid and cross-linked with ß-glycerol phosphate. The structure, release, swelling, weight loss, cytocompatibility, and hemocompatibility of the prepared hydrogels were assessed. The sciatic nerve crush was created in rats and fabricated hydrogels were injected, and functional analysis was used to evaluate their effectiveness. The results of physical characterization of the hydrogel indicated that the initial average pore size was about 39 µm and about 70% of the main weight of hydrogels was lost after incubation for 21 days and hemocompatibility of hydrogels was also confirmed. The MTT assay showed the cytocompatiblity of hydrogels and also indicated that berberine has dose-dependence effect on cell proliferation. The in vivo results showed the positive effect of berberine especially the hydrogel contained 1% of berberine on regeneration of sciatic nerve. Based on this study, Alg/Chit hydrogel can be applied as a treatment to heal peripheral nerve injuries. Graphical abstract.