INSULIN-INCORPORATED BACTERIAL NANOCELLULOSE MEMBRANE (NCB-INS) WITH POTENTIAL WOUND-INDUCED HEALING ACTIVITY IN HYPERGLYCEMIC RATS

• Grant number: 24/06351-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Maria Helena de Melo Lima
• Grantee: Carolyna de Sousa Carvalho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Enfermagem. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus is intrinsically linked to compromised wound healing capacity. Insulin-incorporated bacterial nanocellulose membrane (NCB-INS) emerges as a promising therapeutic intervention. It stands out for its biocompatibility, mechanical stability and high hydrophilicity, which favors an ideal humid environment, characteristics that, together with the healing properties of insulin, can help in the tissue repair process. However, pre-clinical studies are needed to validate the effectiveness of NCB-INS in the wound healing process in diabetic conditions. Therefore, the present project aims to develop and evaluate the healing potential of the bacterial nanocellulose membrane incorporated with insulin (NCB-INS) in vitro and in vivo in excisional skin wounds induced in hyperglycemic rats. The bacterial nanocellulose membrane incorporated with insulin will be prepared and characterized, then the healing effects in vitro and in vivo will be evaluated through analyzes of cellular effects and morphometric, macroscopic, microscopic aspects and gene expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and anti-inflammatories. Statistical analyzes will be performed using the GraphPad Prism software v10.0 program. All variables will be tested for normal distribution and homogeneous variance, using parametric and non-parametric tests. Through this study, it is expected that NCB-INS will provide a suitable environment to promote cell proliferation and tissue healing. The results of this research may influence the use or not of the bacterial nanocellulose membrane incorporated with insulin in wounds and, consequently, offer an alternative treatment.