Researchers develop a new 3D technique to revolutionize the treatment of diabetes

A new bandaging treatment, known as scaffolding, to treat diabetic foot ulcers that is cost-effective while improving patient outcomes has been designed by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast.

Produced by 3D bioprinting, the scaffolds slowly release antibiotics over a four-week period to effectively treat the wound. The study was published in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research.

Diabetes, a lifelong disease that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high, is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DUP) is a serious complication of diabetes, affecting approximately 25% of diabetic patients. When identified, more than 50% are already infected and more than 70% of cases result in lower limb amputation.

The treatment strategy necessary for the effective cure of DFU is a complex process that requires several combined therapeutic approaches. Accordingly, there is a significant clinical and economic burden associated with the treatment of DFU. These treatments are often unsuccessful, leading to amputation of the lower limbs.

This new research demonstrates findings with significant implications for patients’ quality of life, as well as reducing the cost and clinical burden of treating PDU. Recent research has focused on drug-laden scaffolds to treat PDU. The scaffold structure is a novel support for cell and drug delivery that improves wound healing.

The research, published in Springer Link, will be presented by Professor Lamprou at the Italian workshop of the Controlled Release Society (CRS) (7-9 October).

Professor Dimitrios Lamprou, Professor of Biofabrication and Advanced Manufacturing at the Queen’s School of Pharmacy and corresponding author, explains: “These scaffolds are like windows that allow doctors to continuously monitor healing. This avoids having to constantly remove them, which can cause infections and delay the healing process.

“The ‘frame’ has an antibiotic that helps ‘kill’ the bacterial infection, and the ‘glass’ which can be prepared by collagen/sodium alginate can contain growth factor to promote cell growth. The scaffold has two molecular layers that both play an important role in wound healing.”

Lead author Ms Katie Glover, Queen’s School of Pharmacy, concludes: “Using bioprinting technology, we have developed a scaffold with appropriate mechanical properties to treat the wound, which can be easily modified at the size of the wound.”

Glover added, “This provides an inexpensive alternative to current DFU treatments that could revolutionize the treatment of DFU, improving patient outcomes while reducing the economic burden caused by rapidly increasing patient demand. while the number of people with diabetes continues to increase each year.

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