LAUSR

Diabetic complications can be ameliorated by inhibiting excessive oxidative stress with antioxidants. To enhance therapeutic intervention, it is crucial to develop intelligent scaffolds for efficient delivery of antioxidants to diabetic wounds. In this study, we introduced reversible boronic bonds to create an intelligent antioxidant hydrogel scaffold. We modified gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) with 4-carboxyphenyboronic acid (CPBA) to synthesize a derivative of GelMA (GelMA-CPBA), and then photo-crosslinked GelMA-CPBA with (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) to form GelMA-CPBA/EGCG (GMPE) hydrogel. The GMPE hydrogel responded to changes in glucose levels, and more EGCG was released as glucose level increased due to the dissociation of boronic ester bonds. The GMPE hydrogel showed good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and its mechanical property was similar to that of the skin tissue. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that the GMPE hydrogel scaffolds effectively eliminated reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced the inflammation, and promoted angiogenesis, thereby improved collagen deposition and tissue remodeling during diabetic wound healing. Our strategy offers new insight into glucose-responsive scaffolds, and this responsive antioxidant hydrogel scaffold holds great potential for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.