The Wound-Healing Activity of PEDOT-PSS in Animals.

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the wound-healing activity of a polymer, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)poly-(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT PSS), and determined its mechanism based on angiogenic activity in a full-thickness excision wound model in Spraque Dawley (SD) rats. Administering PEDOT PSS (1.6) 1.5 ppm at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day significantly improved wound healing in the SD rats on the eleventh day after the incision was created. PEDOT PSS-treated animals presented no anti-inflammatory skin effects; however, there was an increase in angiogenic behavior. VEGF was found to be significantly elevated in the PEDOT PSS-treated groups seven days post-incision. However, only a higher concentration of PEDOT PSS increased TGF-ß1 expression within the same time frame. Our results showed that PEDOT PSS enhances wound healing activity, mainly in terms of its angiogenic effects. In this paper, we describe the highly conductive macromolecular material PEDOT PSS, which demonstrated accelerated wound-healing activity in the animal incision model. The results will further provide information regarding the application of PEDOT PSS as a dressing for medical use.