A small wound should not change a life. Yet for many people living with diabetes, a minor cut can slowly develop into a chronic injury that refuses to heal — sometimes ending in amputation.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside believe they may have found a way to interrupt that process.
When oxygen runs low
Around 12 million people worldwide develop chronic wounds each year. In the United States alone, roughly 4.5 million are affected, and close to one in five patients ultimately faces limb loss.
According to the research team, one of the main reasons these wounds stall is a lack of oxygen deep inside the damaged tissue.
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Without sufficient oxygen, inflammation persists, bacteria multiply and the body cannot properly rebuild skin and blood vessels.
To address this, the scientists created a soft gel designed to deliver oxygen directly where it is most needed.
A battery-powered patch
The gel is made from water and a choline-based compound that is both antibacterial and biocompatible.
When connected to a small battery, it splits water molecules and releases a steady supply of oxygen over an extended period.
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Unlike conventional treatments, the material molds to the wound’s surface before solidifying, helping it reach uneven areas where oxygen levels are lowest.
The study, published in Nature Communications Materials, showed that wounds in diabetic and older mice healed in about 23 days with the gel, while untreated injuries failed to close.
Researchers say the approach could eventually reduce amputations and may also support future efforts to grow thicker lab-engineered tissues.
Sources: Science Daily and Nature
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