Diabetic wounds pose a significant health challenge, affecting over six percent of the global population and often leading to severe complications such as amputations. In Singapore alone, four lower limb amputations occur daily due to non-healing diabetic wounds, with substantial healthcare costs associated with these procedures.
To address this critical issue, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed innovative microneedle technologies that have shown efficacy in accelerating diabetic wound healing in preclinical models. These technologies focus on preserving growth factors and removing inflammatory compounds, crucial steps in the wound healing process.
Key Innovations
Sucralfate Microneedles (SUC-MN): These microneedles deliver interleukin-4 (IL-4), an immunomodulatory protein that stimulates growth factor production in diabetic tissues. Sucralfate protects these growth factors from degradation, enhancing wound healing significantly faster than traditional treatments.
Heparin-Coated Porous Microneedles (HPMN): These microneedles are designed to extract pro-inflammatory compounds from the wound site. By using heparin, which binds to chemokines, HPMN can reduce tissue inflammation by 50% and decrease wound size by 90% within two weeks.
Advantages and Future Directions
Microneedle technology offers a minimally invasive, precise method for delivering therapeutic agents directly to the wound site, minimizing systemic side effects and improving patient compliance. The NUS team plans to further develop these technologies, integrating antibacterial properties and designing flexible patches for better tissue fit. Their goal is to bring this innovative approach to clinical practice, providing relief for patients with diabetic wounds and other skin conditions.
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