Controlled water vapor transmission rate promotes wound-healing via wound re-epithelialization and contraction enhancement

TLDR

An optimal moisture content is essential for wound healing, and wound dressings must maintain this moisture. The study aimed to identify the optimal WVTR of polyurethane dressings for wound healing through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Serial PU membranes with graded WVTRs were prepared and tested in vitro and in vivo to determine the optimal rate. The dressing with a WVTR of ~2028 g m⁻² · 24 h maintained optimal moisture, promoted epidermal and fibroblast proliferation in 3‑D culture, and accelerated wound closure in a mouse model, suggesting its utility for future wound dressing design.

Abstract

Abstract A desirable microenvironment is essential for wound healing, in which an ideal moisture content is one of the most important factors. The fundamental function and requirement for wound dressings is to keep the wound at an optimal moisture. Here, we prepared serial polyurethane (PU) membrane dressings with graded water vapor transmission rates (WVTRs), and the optimal WVTR of the dressing for wound healing was identified by both in vitro and in vivo studies. It was found that the dressing with a WVTR of 2028.3 ± 237.8 g/m 2 ·24 h was able to maintain an optimal moisture content for the proliferation and regular function of epidermal cells and fibroblasts in a three-dimensional culture model. Moreover, the dressing with this optimal WTVR was found to be able to promote wound healing in a mouse skin wound model. Our finds may be helpful in the design of wound dressing for wound regeneration in the future.