3D printed biocompatible scaffolds combined with electrical stimulation promote wound healing in diabetic rats

Abstract The directional movement of ions at the wound creates an endogenous electric field, which plays a crucial role in the wound healing process. However, wounds in diabetic patients are difficult to heal due to insufficient endogenous electric fields, and existing treatment methods still have limitations. Therefore, we propose a treatment regimen using 3D printed scaffolds combined with electrical stimulation to promote wound healing in diabetic rats. Through simulation studies, it is found that the number of scaffold layers is positively correlated with the electric field energy. Animal experiment results show that the regimen can promote the orderly arrangement of collagen fibers and improve the wound healing rate of diabetic rats. Further analysis based on simulation and experimental results indicate that under single-phase pulse electrical stimulation with the same parameters, the wound healing rate is higher in the scaffold group with higher electric field energy. Therefore, the combination of scaffolds with electrical stimulation can accelerate wound healing. Our research provides an effective means for healing wounds in diabetic patients.