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

Author(s)

Azevedo, Flavia Figueiredo ; Cantarutti, Thiago Anselmo ; Rosa Remiro, Paula de Freitas ; Barbieri, Beatriz ; Azoubel, Rafael Abboud ; Taniguchi Nagahara, Mariana Harue ; Moraes, Angela Maria ; Melo Lima, Maria Helena

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: POLYMERS; v. 14, n. 21, p. 16-pg., 2022-11-01.

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-beta 1 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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/05237-2 - Micronization of the drug Imiquimode with supercritical CO2 aiming to increase the solubility in physiological media and its incorporation in new release vehicles
• Grantee: Paula de Freitas Rosa Remiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/00781-9 - Insulin gel in the treatment of excisional lesions in hyperglycemic mice and the relation to hair follicular growth
• Grantee: Maria Helena de Melo Lima
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants