3D printing of collagen skin dressing from fish skin associated to fatty acids in secondary intention wound healing

• Grant number: 25/02040-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Flávia de Oliveira
• Grantee: Mariana Carvalho Simões
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/18524-0 - 3D printing of collagen skin dressing from fish skin associated to fatty acids in secondary intention wound healing, AP.R

Abstract

[Introduction] Chronic wounds, such as pressure, diabetic and venous ulcers, represent a public health problem. They are related to comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, vascular deficits, spinal cord injury and diseases associated to bedridden condition. They heal by secondary intention, i.e., the edges are not brought together, increasing wound healing time and the risk of infection. Then, the development of skin dressings that accelerate healing is desirable, given the health and socioeconomic impacts. It is known that the marine environment is rich in nutrients and biodiversity and has raw materials for biotechnological products. Fish skin, for example, is rich in collagen and has low cost. [Objectives] To produce, by 3D printing, a skin dressing from fish skin collagen. In addition, to use it in an experimental skin wound model and associate with fatty acids treatment to evaluate inflammatory and morphological parameters of wound healing. [Material and Methods] To produce 3D printed dressings, collagen will be extracted from the skin of the fish, from the discards of local vendors. After extraction, the manufacturing of the dressings will be done with the collagen from the fish skin. In addition to the dressing, oleic and linoleic fatty acids in a 1:1 ratio and known for their anti-inflammatory potential, will be applied to the treated groups, while the control will receive only vehicle (sterile PBS), both applied every 48h. Male Wistar rats (n = 40) will be distributed into 2 groups: control (GC), without dressing and only with vehicle; and treated (GT), with dressing and fatty acids added. All animals will be subjected to a cutaneous wound (diameter of 20 mm) and will be evaluated after 14 or 21 days. The healing will be evaluated by measurement of the healing rate; histopathological and inflammation analysis, morphometry of reepithelization, elastic-collagen arrangement evaluation and evaluation of immunohistochemical markers for metalloproteinases and angiogenesis. For statistical analysis, a normality test will be applied followed by a parametric or non-parametric test. [Expected results]: It is expected that this study contributes to the development of a technological and sustainable dressing, obtained from local marine resources, to accelerate the secondary intention wound healing.