Chinese scientists from Jilin University have developed a first-of-its-kind hydrogel with antibacterial effect designed to treat non-healing wounds. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine APL Materials.
Hydrogels are in demand in medicine to help treat skin diseases and in tissue engineering. However, they are difficult to manufacture and are not resistant to external factors such as friction from clothing, linens or bandages. Also, by their nature, these substances cannot fight bacterial infections, so they often need to be combined with antimicrobial drugs that slow cell growth and inhibit healing.
Experts solved these problems by adding amino acid polylysis and platelet-rich blood plasma to the regular Gel-MA hydrogel. Polylysine acts as a natural antibiotic and inhibits microorganisms, while blood plasma accelerates tissue healing. These additives also made the material more durable.
According to scientists, the composition consisting of Gel-MA, polylysine and plasma turns into a gel in 30 seconds under an ultraviolet lamp, while standard hydrogels need to be cooled from time to time to maintain their elasticity.
Researchers hope these improvements will help patients with diabetes and other diseases that cause non-healing sores on the skin.
Former scientists of the Kurchatov Institute offered Treat tuberculosis with hydrogel.