title: Wound-healing with mechanically robust and biodegradable hydrogel fibers loaded with silver nanoparticles.
abstract: The objective of this study is to provide a novel synthetic approach for the manufacture of wound-healing materials using covalently cross-linked alginate fibers loaded with silver nanoparticles. Alginate fibers are prepared by wet-spinning in a CaCl(2)  precipitation bath. Using this same approach, calcium cross-links in alginate fibers are replaced by chemical cross-links that involve hydroxyl groups for subsequent cross-linking by glutaraldehyde. The cross-linked fibers become highly swollen in aqueous solution due to the presence of carboxyl functional groups, and retain their mechanical stability in physiological fluids owing to the stabilized network of covalent bonds. Alginate fibers can then be loaded with silver ions via the ion-exchange reaction. Silver ions are reduced to yield 11 nm silver nanoparticles incorporated in the polymer gel. This method provides a convenient platform to incorporate silver nanoparticles into alginate fibers in controlled concentrations while retaining the mechanical and swelling properties of the alginate fibers. Our study suggests that the silver nanoparticles loaded fibers may be easily applied in a wound healing paradigm and promote the repair process though the promotion of fibroblast migration to the wound area, reduction of the inflammatory phase, and the increased epidermal thickness in the repaired wound area, thereby improving the overall quality and speed of healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neibert
authors.forename: Venkateshwarlu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gopishetty
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grigoryev
authors.forename: Ihor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tokarev
authors.forename: Noura
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Hajaj
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vorstenbosch
authors.forename: Anie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Philip
authors.forename: Sergiy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minko
authors.forename: Dusica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maysinger
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D012834:Silver / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D020100:Hydrogels; D012834:Silver