Oxygen-Releasing Gel Heals Chronic Wounds & Reduces Amputation Risk | UC Riverside Research

As populations age and rates of diabetes continue to rise, the challenge of chronic wounds – injuries that resist healing – is becoming increasingly urgent. These wounds not only diminish quality of life but likewise carry a significant risk of amputation. Now, researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have developed a novel oxygen-delivering gel that shows promise in healing these stubborn injuries, potentially averting limb loss for millions.

Worldwide, an estimated 12 million people are affected by chronic wounds annually, with roughly 4.5 million cases occurring in the United States alone. Alarmingly, approximately one in five patients with chronic wounds ultimately require amputation, a life-altering procedure. A wound is generally classified as chronic if it fails to heal within a month.

The Role of Oxygen in Wound Healing

The UCR team’s work centers on a fundamental problem in chronic wound healing: a lack of oxygen in the deepest layers of damaged tissue. When oxygen levels are insufficient, wounds become trapped in a prolonged inflammatory state, hindering the natural healing process and creating an environment where bacteria can thrive. This process, known as hypoxia, disrupts the body’s ability to rebuild tissue.

“Chronic wounds don’t heal by themselves,” explains Iman Noshadi, UCR associate professor of bioengineering and lead researcher on the project. “There are four stages to healing: inflammation, vascularization (the formation of new blood vessels), remodeling, and regeneration. A stable, consistent oxygen supply is crucial in all of these stages.”

How the Gel Works: A Miniature Oxygen Factory

The newly developed gel is designed to address this oxygen deficit directly. It’s a soft, flexible material composed of water and a choline-based liquid, which is both antibacterial and biocompatible. The key innovation lies in its ability to generate oxygen on demand. When connected to a small battery – similar in size to those used in hearing aids – the gel functions as a miniature electrochemical device, splitting water molecules to release a steady stream of oxygen.

Unlike existing oxygen therapies that primarily deliver oxygen to the wound surface, this gel conforms to the wound’s shape, filling gaps and uneven areas where oxygen levels are typically lowest and infection risk is highest. This targeted delivery is critical, as the formation of new blood vessels, essential for long-term healing, can take weeks. The gel can maintain oxygen flow for up to a month, providing sustained support for tissue repair.

Promising Results in Animal Models

The researchers tested the oxygen-generating gel in animal models, specifically diabetic and older mice, whose wounds closely mimic the chronic wounds seen in human patients. In untreated animals, injuries often failed to close and proved fatal. However, when the oxygen-producing gel was applied and replaced weekly, the wounds healed within approximately 23 days, and the animals survived. UC Riverside News

“We could make this patch as a product where the gel may need to be renewed periodically,” notes Prince David Okoro, a doctoral candidate in bioengineering at UCR and co-author of the study.

Beyond Oxygen: Immune Modulation and Inflammation Control

The benefits of the gel may extend beyond simply delivering oxygen. Choline, a key component of the gel, plays a role in regulating immune activity and reducing excessive inflammation. Chronic wounds often exhibit high levels of reactive oxygen species – unstable molecules that damage cells and prolong inflammation. By providing a stable oxygen supply although simultaneously calming the inflammatory response, the gel creates a more favorable environment for tissue repair.

“There are bandages that absorb fluid, and some that release antimicrobial agents,” says Okoro. “But none of them really address hypoxia, which is the fundamental problem. We’re tackling that directly.”

Potential Applications Beyond Wound Care

The implications of this technology reach beyond the treatment of chronic wounds. Oxygen and nutrient deficiencies are significant obstacles in the field of regenerative medicine, particularly in efforts to grow replacement tissues and organs. The Noshadi laboratory views this project as a stepping stone toward creating and sustaining larger, more complex organs for transplantation.

“When the thickness of a tissue increases, it’s hard to diffuse that tissue with what it needs, so cells start dying,” explains Noshadi. “This project can be seen as a bridge to creating and sustaining larger organs for people in need of them.”

Addressing the Underlying Causes of Chronic Wounds

While the oxygen-delivering gel represents a significant advancement, researchers acknowledge that addressing the rising rates of chronic wounds requires a multifaceted approach. Factors such as aging, diabetes, and lifestyle choices all contribute to the problem.

“Our sedentary lifestyles are causing our immune responses to decrease,” says Baishali Kanjilal, a UCR bioengineer and co-author of the study. “It’s hard to get to the societal roots of our problems. But this innovation represents a chance to reduce amputations, improve quality of life, and give the body what it needs to heal itself.”

What’s Next: From Animal Studies to Clinical Trials

The next steps involve further refinement of the gel and rigorous testing in clinical trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy in human patients. Researchers will also investigate the potential for tailoring the gel’s composition and oxygen delivery rate to suit different types of wounds and individual patient needs. ScienceDaily The team is also exploring the possibility of incorporating other therapeutic agents into the gel to enhance its healing properties. Further research will be needed to determine the long-term effects of the gel and to identify any potential side effects. PubMed

The development of this oxygen-delivering gel offers a beacon of hope for the millions of people worldwide living with chronic wounds, potentially transforming the landscape of wound care and reducing the devastating consequences of amputation.