Development and evaluation of a fish skin-derived acellular dermal matrix for diabetic wound healing: In vitro and in vivo assessment.

Introduction

Non-healing diabetic foot ulcers often result in amputation and reduced quality of life. The study objective was to develop and evaluate a novel fish skin-derived acellular dermal matrix (FSADM) for diabetic wound-healing applications, addressing these challenges.

Methods

FSADM was fabricated from yellow fin tuna (Thunnus albacares) skin using a decellularization and lyophilization process. The matrix was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In vitro biocompatibility was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays with L929 fibroblasts and hemocompatibility tests. In vivo, biocompatibility was evaluated through subcutaneous implantation in Sprague-Dawley rats. Wound-healing efficacy was assessed in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model with full-thickness excisional wounds, comparing FSADM with commercial alternatives and untreated controls.

Results

FTIR analysis confirmed the preservation of collagen structure in FSADM. In vitro studies demonstrated cytocompatibility with L929 cells and minimal haemolytic activity (0.68 ± 0.034%). Subcutaneous implantation demonstrated good biocompatibility, with a progressive reduction in the inflammatory response. In the diabetic wound model, FSADM-treated wounds exhibited significantly faster closure rates than commercial controls (p < 0.05), achieving 100% closure by day 21, compared to 90% closure in commercial controls. Histological analysis revealed enhanced epithelialization, hair follicle formation, and angiogenesis in FSADM-treated wounds.

Conclusion

FSADM demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and superior wound-healing in diabetic conditions compared to commercial alternatives. It presents a promising, sustainable biomaterial for diabetic wound care. Further studies are needed to validate these findings in clinical settings and optimize their therapeutic potential.