journal article·2026-04

Extreme‐Environment Adaptive Hydrogel with Vagus Nerve Modulation for Diabetic Wound Healing and Emotion Management

Yue Hou, Xiaochuan Guo, Xinyi Wang, Yuanfeng Wang, Wei Zhang, Jinhui Ran, Dejia Xu, Yiming Zhang, Yanan Jiang, Feng Lin, Xiangrong Chang, Xiong Lu, Chaoming Xie

Small· Volume 22· Issue 19
Publisher page

Abstract

ABSTRACT Chronic diabetic wounds, characterized by persistent inflammation and immune dysregulation, present a significant healing challenge. While traditional hydrogels aid tissue repair, their functionality is often compromised at low temperatures. Herein, we report a polyphenol‐mediated conductive hydrogel that remains stable and functional at ‐80°C. Engineered from casein, dopamine‐modified poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene), and a synergistic antifreeze system (dopamine, gluten, glycerol), the hydrogel maintains its conductivity, bioactivity, and therapeutic efficacy after freezing. The hydrogel functions both as a therapeutic dressing and a bioelectronic interface. When coupled with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), the hydrogel synergistically accelerates full‐thickness wound healing by regulating inflammation, scavenging ROS, promoting macrophage M2 polarization, and enhancing angiogenesis. Its remarkable cryo‐stability is attributed to polyphenol‐mediated water confinement and cryoprotective gluten micelles. Concurrently, the hydrogel facilitates real‐time ECG, EMG, and EEG monitoring and enables VNS‐driven modulation of EEG‐α waves to alleviate depressive‐like behavior. This integrated system presents a novel therapeutic paradigm for managing both the physiological and psychological complications of diabetes, even under extreme environmental conditions.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Wound Healing and Treatments · Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine · Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine Southwest Jiaotong University Chengdu Sichuan China

The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University Chengdu Sichuan China

Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China hospital Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Support Program

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