Promotion of skin regeneration in diabetic rats by collagen-based hydrogel incorporated with basic fibroblast growth factor: A histological, molecular, and tensiometrical study

Diabetic wounds represent a major and costly challenge for diabetic patients, leading to significant morbidity and healthcare expenses. Consequently, extensive research has been dedicated to identifying effective treatments to enhance wound healing. Among these, biological hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates due to their superior properties over traditional materials. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a bioactive and biodegradable collagen-based hydrogel derived from human amniotic membrane (CHA) combined with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in promoting wound healing in diabetic rats. A total of thirty diabetic rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): control, CHA, and CHA incorporated with bFGF (CHA+bFGF). Wound evaluations were conducted on days 7 and 21. The findings revealed notable improvements in wound closure, fibroblast and blood vessel counts, collagen density, tensiometrical parameters, and the levels of VEGF in the treatment groups compared to the control group, with the most significant effects observed in the CHA+bFGF group. Moreover, the CHA+bFGF group demonstrated a greater reduction in inflammatory cells infiltration, along with lower concentration of TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines, compared to the other groups. In conclusion, the combination of CHA with bFGF proved to be highly effective in enhancing the healing process of diabetic wounds.