Oxygen-Releasing Gel Heals Chronic Wounds & Prevents Amputation | Biotech News

A new oxygen-releasing gel developed at the University of California, Riverside, is showing promise in accelerating the healing of chronic wounds and potentially preventing amputations, particularly in patients with diabetes. The bioengineered tissue platform, detailed in a recent study published in Communications Materials, delivers a sustained release of oxygen directly to damaged tissue, addressing a key impediment to healing: hypoxia.

Chronic wounds, defined as those that do not heal within a month, affect approximately 12 million people globally each year, with roughly one in five patients ultimately requiring amputation, according to researchers. The gel distinguishes itself from existing oxygen therapies by adapting to the unique contours of each wound, filling crevices where oxygen levels are typically lowest and infection risk is highest. Before solidifying, the material precisely conforms to the damaged tissue.

The innovative approach utilizes a biocompatible hydrogel electrolyte functionalized with a bioionic liquid (BIL) to generate localized and controlled oxygen through electrolysis. Researchers found that the BIL enhances oxygen release, maintaining cell viability and promoting vascularization even in severe hypoxic conditions, according to the study.

“Chronic wounds don’t heal on their own,” explained Iman Noshadi, professor of bioengineering at UCR, who led the research team. “Their healing has four stages: inflammation, vascularization (where the tissue begins to form blood vessels), remodeling, and regeneration or scarring. At any of these stages, a lack of a stable and constant supply of oxygen is a major problem.”

The gel’s composition includes choline, a key component with properties that facilitate modulate the immune system and calm excessive inflammation. Chronic wounds are often affected by reactive oxygen species, unstable molecules that damage cells and prolong inflammation. By increasing stable oxygen levels and helping to control this exaggerated immune response, the gel aims to restore balance.

In studies using diabetic and aged mice – models chosen for their similarity to chronic wounds in humans – untreated wounds failed to heal and often proved fatal. With the oxygen-generating patch applied and replaced weekly, wounds closed in approximately 23 days, and the animals survived, researchers reported.

The TIME Lab at UC Riverside, where the research originated, focuses on the intersection of aging biology and tissue engineering, aiming to develop strategies for extending healthy lifespans. The lab’s broader goal is to pioneer in vitro models that replicate the complexity of age-related diseases, according to its website.

The gel’s design incorporates a soft, flexible material containing water and a non-toxic, biocompatible choline-based liquid. Combined with a small battery similar to those used in hearing aids, the gel functions as a miniature electrochemical machine, breaking down water molecules to create a slow, continuous flow of oxygen. Unlike brief oxygen doses, the system can provide sustained levels for up to a month, helping to transform a non-healing wound into one that behaves like a normal injury.

Researchers suggest the technology could too have implications for creating and maintaining larger organs for individuals in need. “When the thickness of a tissue increases, it is tough to supply it with what it needs, so cells begin to die,” Noshadi stated.