MISiS and Skoltech: Nanofibers for antiseptic wound dressings

The main articles are:

• Wound healing
• Polymers in medicine

2023: Creating fibre for antiseptic wound dressings

Scientists from MISIS University and the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology have created a fiber for antiseptic wound dressings, which will avoid complications in patients in the postoperative period. This was announced on May 31, 2023 by Zdrav.Expert representatives of MISIS. According to them, ultra-thin threads were obtained from various polymers by electrospinning.

Alexey Salimon, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Physical Chemistry, Deputy Head of the Laboratory of Accelerated Particles (LUCH), NUST MISIS

For four years, experts have investigated the interaction of polymers (PVA-PEG-SiO2) with a shell obtained from polyvinyl alcohol and graphene oxide (PBA-GO). Chlorhexidine digluconate was used as the agent providing stable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Cross-linking of GO and SiO2 upon contact with moisture has proven to initiate the transition of the fibrous composite into the hydrogel, releasing the drug. The results are published in the international scientific journal International Journal ofMolecular Sciences (Q1).

As explained in MISIS, one of the problems of wound healing is the formation of a dense biofilm as a result of inflammation caused most often by Staphylococcus aureus. Chronic diabetic ulcers, complex burns, dental and periprosthetic infections are very sensitive to bacterial activity, which is increasingly difficult to treat every year due to increasing antibiotic resistance. Therefore, one of the most promising areas is hydrogel fiber and the development of a bioresorbable wound healing composite based on it, the university said.

Hydrogel action

"Bioactive molecules may initially be present in the polymer solution from which we derive the fiber. Also, medicinal additives can be added already to the finished mass. This allows you to create a wide range of medical products based on our development, "said one of the project leaders Alexei Salimon, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Physical Chemistry, Deputy Head of the Accelerated Particles Laboratory (LUCH) of NITU MISIS.

Hydrophilic polymers promote healing by maintaining an optimal level of humidity for sufficient cell migration and epithelial cell activity in the wound bed. Regulating exudate release from the wound is also an important condition for tissue regeneration. An innovative solution, according to the researchers, was the addition of graphene to the initial polymer solution. This carbon in the form of a film with a thickness of one atom has high strength, electrical conductivity and contributes to a thinner and more uniform thread. This ensures a more even distribution of medicinal substances in the composition of the wound dressing and has a positive effect on the medical properties.

"Additional components such as graphene or silica nanoparticles are added to the polymer-based solution. After that, under the influence of a strong electric voltage, a thread with a thickness of tenths of a micron is pulled out of the solution. It lies on the receiver and forms a nonwoven fabric similar to two-dimensional cotton wool. In particular, the electric spinning plant for the production of fiber was developed and manufactured by us from affordable domestic components, "explained Alexey Salimon.

The pulp is then compressed into "pads," which can then be used as part of active wound dressings.

Composite Fabrication

"We have experimentally confirmed that the composite fiber PVA-PEG-SiO2 non-toxic to humans and in doing so provides sustained antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Moving to the hydrogel, it optimizes the release of the drug, "said Elizaveta Kudan, co-author of the study, leading expert at the NUST Biomedical Engineering Research Center of MISIS.

The proposed biocompatible solution for fibers containing chlorhexidine will help minimize surgery and postoperative pain in patients with chronic wounds.

The work of scientists was supported by the Russian Scientific Foundation and a grant (K1-2022-032) within the framework of the federal program of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia "Priority 2030" (national project "Science and Universities"). The development is already ready for the beginning of certification and in the future - for launch into production.