Ionic microsphere therapy for skin trauma

The skin is an important barrier for the body. Normal wound healing can be severely impeded by inadequate angiogenesis, excessive inflammation, and increased susceptibility to infection. Therefore, effective wound therapy should focus on accelerating the healing process and providing antimicrobial properties that are essential for wound recovery. Alginate (ALG) is a biocompatible polysaccharide substance capable of forming hydrogel dressings by cross-linking with metal ions, especially with Zn2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, and Ca2+ metal ions. The hydrogel formed by them can gradually release Zn2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, and Ca2+ during the process of wound repair, which has an important role in promoting angiogenesis and collagen deposition. Here, we prepared hydrogel microspheres (MS) based on cross-linking of different ions such as Zn-MS, Fe-MS, Cu-MS, and Ca-MS and investigated the effect of these ions on wound healing. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that MS formed by Zn2+ enhanced antimicrobial activity, MS formed by Fe3+ and Cu2+ increased the formation of collagen fibers, and MS formed by Zn2+ and Ca2+ promoted the development of capillaries. So, the hydrogel MS formed by cross-linking ALG with these four ions are of great significance and research value in the field of skin wound application.