PSU Researchers Report Promising Diabetic Foot Healing Breakthrough Using Antioxidant Therapy With Porcine Collagen Matrix
Researchers from Penza State University have announced a notable advancement in treating diabetic foot syndrome. By applying an antioxidant therapy directly to wounds through a porcine collagen matrix, the healing time can be substantially reduced. The approach is described as simple and painless for patients. The information comes from a report shared with socialbites.ca by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
Health authorities note that diabetes affects a substantial portion of the population. In Russia, estimates suggest that roughly one in every fifteen people lives with diabetes, and about eight to ten percent of those individuals experience diabetic foot complications. Untreated or poorly managed wounds can take two to three months to heal, and there is a risk of recurring purulent and necrotic tissue in some cases.
The Penza team has proposed a new tactic to address this issue through local antioxidant therapy. The scientists are exploring the use of a porcine extracellular collagen matrix, which offers structural support and facilitates the targeted delivery of therapeutic compounds to wound sites. This matrix is derived from the submucosa of the pig’s small intestine and is impregnated with the antioxidant mexidol for treatment purposes.
One of the method’s developers, Artem Zakharov, an assistant in the Surgery department at PSU and a clinician in the purulent surgery unit of the Clinical Hospital No. 6 named after GA Zakharyin, described the innovation as a meaningful advancement. He noted that while the use of extracellular collagen matrices in medicine is established, loading these matrices with antioxidants to treat diabetic wounds marks a significant step forward. The approach aims to deliver the drug directly to the lesion, enhancing the effectiveness of traditional therapies and accelerating recovery, according to his statements reported by Gazeta.ru and attributed to PSU researchers.
Initial testing occurred in experimental settings with laboratory animals to assess how well the collagen matrix integrates with bodily tissues. The early results indicated a favorable integration of the extracellular collagen matrix. At present, clinical studies have begun with ten volunteers who have non-healing wounds persisting for more than three months. Participants in the main group received treatments that included the extracellular collagen matrix, a collagen gel, or a combination of both. A comparison group consisting of fifteen patients followed conventional systemic therapy for comparison.
According to Zakharov, the healing process in the main group appears to be advancing at roughly twice the rate of those in the comparison group. This observation suggests that the matrix-based approach, particularly when paired with antioxidant therapy, could offer a faster recovery path for diabetic patients facing chronic wound challenges. The researchers emphasize the importance of ongoing clinical observation to confirm long-term outcomes and to identify any potential side effects or limitations of the therapy. The study continues to collect data on wound closure, tissue remodeling, and overall patient well-being as part of a broader effort to improve care for individuals with diabetic foot syndrome.
As the work progresses, experts emphasize the potential for such local treatment strategies to complement existing wound care practices. The focus remains on delivering antioxidants directly to affected tissue to maximize local impact while reducing systemic exposure. While the early findings are encouraging, researchers and clinicians alike call for careful interpretation and further trials to validate efficacy across diverse patient populations and settings.
In summary, Penza State University researchers are pursuing a promising local therapy that uses a porous collagen matrix enriched with an antioxidant to enhance wound healing in diabetic foot cases. If validated through extended clinical research, this method could represent a meaningful addition to the standard of care for patients dealing with chronic wounds linked to diabetes.
Notes on attribution: the information above reflects official statements and reporting from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, with subsequent coverage from industry and media outlets.