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Open Access Research Article Issue
Zn ion-incorporated injected hydrogels with reactive oxygen species and glucose scavenging capacity for diabetic wound healing
Burns & Trauma 2025, 13(4): tkae067
Published: 10 October 2026
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Background

Patients with diabetic wounds often experience challenges in the repair process, owing to increased concentration of glucose and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, high glucose levels usually result in bacterial infections, which in turn worsen wound healing. This study aims to develop a multifunctional hydrogel with integrated antibacterial activity, ROS scavenging, and glucose-responsive properties to accelerate healing of infected diabetic wounds.

Methods

A Zn ion-incorporated injected hydrogel was prepared using 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid-modified gelatine, tannic acid, and zinc ions. The spectra were detected using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and surface morphologies of hydrogels were obtained using a scanning electron microscopy. The release behavior of Zn ions was investigated using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instrument. To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the GPT and GPT@Zn hydrogels, strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were utilized. Cytocompatibility was evaluated using mouse fibroblasts (L929 cells) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Finally, diabetic wound models were constructed in rats to evaluate the effects of hydrogels on wound healing.

Results

The results show that the hydrogels are injectable and have self-healing properties. Moreover, borate ester bonds are formed in the hydrogels, which are responsive to H2O2 and glucose and can eliminate them. At the same time, zinc ions were released, giving the hydrogels good antibacterial efficacy, with antibacterial rates of 99.7% and 99.9% against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Furthermore, the hydrogels demonstrated good cell compatibility with L929 cells and HUVECs and increased the gene expression of VEGF, COL I, and COL III because of the addition of zinc ions. Based on the ROS, glucose scavenging capacity, and biological functions of zinc ions, the hydrogels advanced the recovery of S. aureus-contaminated whole skin wounds in diabetic rats.

Conclusions

This study provides a novel treatment strategy for diabetic wound healing by constructing Zn ion-incorporated injected hydrogels with reactive oxygen species and glucose-scavenging capacity.

Open Access Research paper Issue
Mg–Ga layered double hydroxides coating endow magnesium with antibacterial and osteogenic properties for guided-bone regeneration application
Journal of Materiomics 2025, 11(6)
Published: 02 May 2025
Abstract Collect

For alveolar bone defects, magnesium membrane with the mechanical properties of shielding fibrocyte growth and sustainable release of Mg2+ is an excellent choice for guide bone regeneration (GBR) surgery. However, insufficient osteogenesis and bacterial infection have hindered its application. In this study, Mg–Ga-LDH coating was successfully prepared, which delayed the degradation rate of the Mg membranes and greatly reduced the amount of hydrogen evolution. A weakly alkaline microenvironment (pH = 8.5) containing appropriate concentrations of Mg2+ and Ga3+ was successfully constructed, effectively promoting the adhesion and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. It also upregulated the expression of alkaline phosphatase and collagen, which were conducive to the formation of mineralized nodules, and promoted the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. In addition, Ga3+ released from the coating and the generated alkaline microenvironment showed good antibacterial properties against S. aureus and E. coli. The Mg–Ga-LDH coating can effectively reduce the degradation rate of Mg membranes and mitigate inflammation. The Mg–Ga-LDH coating modified Mg membrane promoted new bone formation in cranial defect animal models. This bone-promoting Mg2+ and Ga3+ releasing platform and weak alkaline microenvironment creation system paves the way for the application of Mg membranes in the field of GBR.

Open Access Research paper Issue
Fe—N—C single atom nanozymes with dual enzyme-mimicking activities for colorimetric detection of hydrogen peroxide and glutathione
Journal of Materiomics 2022, 8(6): 1251-1259
Published: 04 May 2022
Abstract Collect

H2O2 and glutathione (GSH) are critical redox molecules in the organism. Abnormal levels of cellular H2O2 and GSH are closely related to some diseases. Thus, it is imperative to detect H2O2 and GSH efficiently. In this work, Fe—N—C single atom nanozymes (SANs) with both peroxidase and oxidase-mimicking activities were successfully prepared with the help of formamide condensation by one-step hydrothermal method. The Fe—N—C SANs show excellent peroxidase-like activity, which possess a higher affinity for H2O2 and 3, 3′, 5, 5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) than horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Then, based on the chromogenic reaction of TMB, a colorimetric biosensor to detect H2O2 and GSH was developed. This biosensor has the linear ranges of 10–600 μmol/L for H2O2 with a low detection limit of 4.360 μmol/L and 100–400 μmol/L for GSH with a low detection limit of 78.33 μmol/L. Besides, this colorimetric biosensor exhibited a good recovery of H2O2 and GSH in diluted human serum. Finally, the Fe—N—C SANs were encapsulated into agar gel to self-quantitatively detect GSH by naked eyes. This work provides a non-pyrolytic way to prepare SANs, which broadens the synthetic method of SANs and may promote the development of SANs for biosensor application.

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