Conductive composite nanoscaffold of polyurethane/rGO as skin regeneration agent animal model

Objective(s): Traditional wound dressings primarily promote passive wound healing and infrequently promote active wound healing by influencing skin cell. It is known that electrical stimulation (ES) can control the actions of skin cells. In the present study, the conductive electrospun PU/rGO was designed and fabricated and its qualities as skin wound dressings in animal models were examined. Materials and Methods: In this study, nanocomposite PU (polyurethane)/rGO (reduce graphene oxide) was synthesized using an electrospinning process, investigated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water contact angle, degradation studies, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), bactericidal efficacy, hemolysis and MTT assay.  Then, the scaffolds were grafted in full-thickness wounds of animal rats and evaluated by wound closure and histological.Results: The results showed that the PU/rGO scaffold exhibited antibacterial activity in comparison with PU scaffold and viability showed a notable improvement in cell promotion. In the histopathological analysis, improved dermis development and collagen deposition at the healed wound area of the PU/rGO scaffold with electrical stimulation in comparison to other groups were observed. Conclusion: A PU/rGO scaffold with electrical stimulation could be an appropriate option for skin tissue engineering and wound healing.

Keywords:

Composite , Electrical Stimulation , Scaffold , Tissue engineering , Wound healing