Annexin A1 hydrogel improves healing properties in an experimental skin lesion after induction of type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by metabolic alterations that involve defects in the secretion and/or action of insulin, being responsible for several complications, such as impaired healing. Studies from our research group have shown that annexin A1 protein (AnxA1) is involved in the regulation of inflammation and cell proliferation. In light of these findings, we have developed a new technology and evaluated its effect on a wound healing in vivo model using type 1 diabetes (T1DM)-induced mice. We formulated a hydrogel containing AnxA1 using defined parameters such as organoleptic characteristics, pH, UV-vis spectroscopy and cytotoxicity assay. UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the associated AnxA1 peptide in the three-dimensional hydrogel matrix, while the in vitro cytotoxicity assay showed excellent biocompatibility. Mice showed increased blood glucose levels, confirming the efficacy of streptozotocin (STZ) to induce T1DM. Treatment with AnxA1 hydrogel showed to improve diabetic wound healing, defined as complete re-epithelialization and tissue remodeling, with reduction of inflammatory infiltrate in diabetic animals. We envisage that the AnxA1 hydrogel, with its innovative composition and formulation be efficient on improving diabetic healing and contributing on the expansion of the therapeutic arsenal to treat diabetic wounds, at a viable cost.