16.10.2024 by Dr. Ligia de Souza
Advancing Wound Care: NETZSCH Kinexus Rheometer for Developing Insulin-Loaded Hydrogels
Chronic wounds, like diabetic ulcers and pressure sores, are a growing global health issue, requiring advanced treatments to promote healing and reduce long-term care costs.
A recent study published in Polymers magazine, entitled "Insulin-Loaded Chitosan-Cellulose-Derivative Hydrogels: In Vitro Permeation of Hormone through Strat-M Membrane and Rheological and Textural Analysis," introduces an innovative solution using insulin-loaded hydrogels to accelerate tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation.
The study focused on developing hydrogels made of mixtures of chitosan and the cellulose-derivatives, methylcellulose (MC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), loaded with insulin. The developed systems were capable of a gradual and prolonged in vitro release of insulin. The viscoelastic properties of these hydrogels were carefully evaluated using the NETZSCH Kinexus rotational rheometer.
The Kinexus oscillatory measurements, combined with textural analysis and in vitro permeation studies, provide comprehensive understanding of the mechanical performance of the hydrogels. While the study's in vitro tests confirmed controlled insulin release through the synthetic Strat-M® membrane, the rheological findings underscore the hydrogels' potential mechanical stability, paving the way for further research for their use in drug delivery systems.
This work represents a significant step forward in the development of effective, easy-to-apply wound treatments. The research highlights the potential of such formulations in improving chronic wound care by enhancing healing and patient comfort. The studies were supported by the NETZSCH rheology system.
Read the paper here: Insulin-Loaded Chitosan–Cellulose-Derivative Hydrogels: In Vitro Permeation of Hormone through Strat-M® Membrane and Rheological and Textural Analysis (mdpi.com)
Ostróżka-Cieślik, A., Strasser, C., & Dolińska, B. (2024). Insulin-Loaded Chitosan–Cellulose-Derivative Hydrogels: In Vitro Permeation of Hormone through Strat-M® Membrane and Rheological and Textural Analysis. Polymers, 16(18), 2619. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16182619
Learn more about NETZSCH Kinexus Rotational Rheometers
