“It is important to explore a new strategy for treatment of infected soft tissue wounds because it is directly related to prognosis,” said author Ruixin Lin. “We aspire to develop a simpler, safer method to help more patients avoid suffering and help more doctors make the right choices.”
The team created the black phosphorus-enhanced antibacterial injectable hydrogel to reestablish biological barriers in soft tissue and suppress persistent infections. The gel has a porous structure, excellent injectability, and rapid self-healing properties.
In vitro tests showed the hydrogel had good stability and low toxicity to tissue cells. Irradiating the gel with near infrared light causes it to release silver ions. This process was highly efficient at inhibiting S. aureus, common bacteria that cause disease in humans.
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“Furthermore, an in vivo infected wound model showed that the hydrogel could not only inhibit the persistent infection of the wound, but also accelerate the deposition of collagen fibers and angiogenesis, thereby realizing the repair of the natural barrier of soft tissue,” said Lin.
The team believes that it solves current clinical problems, such as stubborn infections caused by antibiotic resistance, and provides new ideas for minimally invasive treatment. They hope to see it used in the clinic after conducting sufficient studies on its underlying mechanisms.
Source: Eurekalert
