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pH‐Modulating Poly(ethylene glycol)/Alginate Hydrogel Dressings for the Treatment of Chronic Wounds
Author(s) -
Koehler Julia,
Wallmeyer Leonie,
Hedtrich Sarah,
Goepferich Achim M.,
Brandl Ferdinand P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.201600369
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , acrylic acid , ethylene glycol , chemistry , wound healing , ultimate tensile strength , polymer chemistry , polymer , biomedical engineering , materials science , copolymer , surgery , organic chemistry , composite material , medicine
The development of chronic wounds has been frequently associated with alkaline pH values. The application of pH‐modulating wound dressings can, therefore, be a promising treatment option to promote normal wound healing. This study reports on the development and characterization of acidic hydrogel dressings based on interpenetrating poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate/acrylic acid/alginate networks. The incorporation of ionizable carboxylic acid groups results in high liquid uptake up to 500%. The combination of two separate polymer networks significantly improves the tensile and compressive stability. In a 2D cell migration assay, the application of hydrogels (0% to 1.5% acrylic acid) results in complete “wound” closure; hydrogels with 0.25% acrylic acid significantly increase the cell migration velocity to 19.8 ± 1.9 µm h −1 . The most promising formulation (hydrogels with 0.25% acrylic acid) is tested on 3D human skin constructs, increasing keratinocyte ingrowth into the wound by 164%.