Histological and Molecular Evidence of the Positive Performance of Glycerol-Plasticized Chitosan-Alginate Membranes on Skin Lesions of Hyperglycemic Mice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate tissue repair of excisional wounds in hyperglycemic animals treated with chitosan-alginate membranes (CAM) produced in the presence of glycerol. 8-week C57B1 male mice were divided into normoglycemic animals with a 0.9% saline solution topical treatment (CTSF); hyperglycemic animals with 0.9% saline solution topical treatment (DMSF) and hyperglycemic animals with glycerol-plasticized chitosan-alginate membrane topical treatment (DMCAM). On post-wound day three, the DMCAM group presented a lower number of leukocytes, mature mastocytes, a higher number of vessels (p < 0.05), and active mastocytes (p < 0.05) when compared to the CTSF and DMSF groups. There were no differences regarding the distribution, deposition, organization, and thickness of collagen fibers. On day 7 there were no differences in the analysis of fibroblasts, mastocytes, and TGF−β1 and VEGF expressions among the groups. Regarding collagen fibers, the DMCAM group presented slight red-orange birefringence when compared to the CTSF and DMSF groups. On day 14 there was a slight concentration of thinner elastic fibers for the DMCAM group, with a greater reorganization of papillary skin and improved red-orange birefringence collagen fibers, as well as net-shaped orientation, similar to intact skin. In addition, improved elastic fiber organization distributed in the entire neo-dermis and a larger presence of elaunin fibers were observed, in a similar pattern found in the intact skin. The use of CAM in cutaneous lesions boosted tissue repair since there was a smaller number of inflammatory cells and mastocytes, and an improvement in collagen deposition and collagen fibers. These results demonstrate the high potential of plasticized chitosan-alginate membrane for skin wound dressing of hyperglycemic patients.

Elastin and collagen fibres in cutaneous wound healing

“…Wounds gained elasticity and retraction due to elastic fibres, having a key role in the biochemical responses and the mechanical forces. 47 A proteolytic digest of bovine elastin increased the production of new elastic fibres in cultured dermal fibroblasts as well as in human skin explants mediated by stimulation of cellular elastin receptor.…”

“…In the skin, depending on the elastin quantity associated with microfibrils there are three types of fibres: oxytalan, elaunin (eulanin) and mature elastic fibres. 47 Oxytalan fibres are composed of fibrillin-rich microfibril bundles without obvious amorphous elastin, normally present at the dermo-epidermal junction with a candelabra-like pattern (Figure 1). Elaunin fibres are formed by fibrillin-rich microfibrils mixed with amorphous elastin, and interconnect oxytalan fibres in the papillary dermis with elastic fibres present in the reticular dermis.…”

“…In the skin, depending on the elastin quantity associated with microfibrils there are three types of fibres: oxytalan, elaunin (eulanin) and mature elastic fibres 47 . Oxytalan fibres are composed of fibrillin‐rich microfibril bundles without obvious amorphous elastin, normally present at the dermo‐epidermal junction with a candelabra‐like pattern (Figure 1).…”

“…By day 14 post‐wounding, elastic fibres appeared all over the dermis with improved reorganization and with eulanin microfibrils, which are thicker and contemplated as necessary for skin elastogenesis. Wounds gained elasticity and retraction due to elastic fibres, having a key role in the biochemical responses and the mechanical forces 47 …”

XB130 inhibits healing of diabetic skin ulcers through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway

“…In 2021, more than 37 million Americans have diabetes. Of those, 28.7 million have been diagnosed and 8.5 million are undiagnosed[ 1 ]. Impaired wound healing often results in severe skin ulcers[ 2 ]; a high percentage (15%-27%) of diabetic foot skin ulcer cases require lower extremity amputation owing to treatment failure[ 3 ].…”