Experimental wound dressings of degradable PHA for skin defect repair

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2016 Nov;27(11):165. doi: 10.1007/s10856-016-5776-4. Epub 2016 Sep 21.

Abstract

The present study reports construction of wound dressing materials from degradable natural polymers such as hydroxy derivatives of carboxylic acids (PHAs) and 3-hydroxybutyrate/4-hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB/4HB)] as copolymer. The developed polymer films and electrospun membranes were evaluated for its wound healing properties with Grafts-elastic nonwoven membranes carrying fibroblast cells derived from adipose tissue multipotent mesenchymal stem cells. The efficacy of nonwoven membranes of P(3HB/4HB) carrying the culture of allogenic fibroblasts was assessed against model skin defects in Wistar rats. The morphological, histological and molecular studies revealed the presence of fibroblasts on dressing materials which facilitated wound healing, vascularization and regeneration. Further it was also observed that cells secreted extracellular matrix proteins which formed a layer on the surface of membranes and promoted the migration of epidermal cells from the neighboring tissues surrounding the wound. The wounds under the P(3HB/4HB) membrane carrying cells healed 1.4 times faster than the wounds under the cell-free membrane and 3.5 times faster than the wounds healing under the eschar (control).The complete wound healing process was achieved at Day 14. Thus the study highlights the importance of nonwoven membranes developed from degradable P(3HB/4HB) polymers in reducing inflammation, enhancing angiogenic properties of skin and facilitating better wound healing process.

MeSH terms

  • 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / chemistry*
  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bandages*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Materials Testing
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Regeneration
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Skin Diseases / metabolism*
  • Skin Transplantation
  • Tissue Scaffolds
  • Wound Healing*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates
  • Polymers
  • 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid