Biotinylated GHK in Collagen Matrix Accelerates Diabetic Wound Healing

Diabetic foot ulcers are a severe complication of diabetes mellitus, often leading to chronic non-healing wounds, infections, and even amputation. These wounds are characterized by impaired angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), reduced collagen synthesis, and prolonged inflammation, making effective treatment challenging. Current therapies often struggle with sustained delivery and efficacy, so this study investigated whether incorporating biotinylated GHK into a collagen matrix could enhance wound healing in a diabetic animal model.

The biotinylated GHK-collagen matrix significantly accelerated wound closure compared to the control group. > By day 21, the treatment group showed an average wound closure of 92.5%, a 2.3-fold improvement over the control group's 40.2% closure (p<0.001). Histological analysis revealed a 65% increase in re-epithelialization and a 2.8-fold increase in collagen deposition in the treated wounds (p<0.01). Furthermore, treated wounds exhibited a 43% reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and a 3.5-fold increase in VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, a key protein for angiogenesis) expression, indicating enhanced blood vessel formation (p<0.001). These findings suggest a multi-faceted mechanism of action, promoting tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation.