2023-04-20 10:06:03
Underestimated, chronic wounds particularly impact the lives of the elderly and diabetics. Researchers show that the healing time of these wounds could be reduced by three by applying a weak electric current.
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Swiss and Swedish researchers have shown that low electrical stimulation (about 200 mV/mm) is sufficient to accelerate skin healing. The electric field applied to artificial skin healed three times faster than on naturally healing skin and did not show any negative impact on the cells. The results of the study are published in the journal Lab on a Chip.
The researchers used the method of electrical guidance of the cells in order to heal the wounds. It should be known that the cells of the skin can be attracted in the same direction thanks to the electric fields. Scientists used this principle to guide cells to heal wounds, using an electronic microchip on which they grew skin cells and then created tiny wounds. They finally compared the differences obtained by stimulating a wound with electricity and letting another heal without electricity.
A beacon of hope for diabetics and the elderly
Chronic wounds often alter the quality of life of diabetic patients and the elderly, sometimes even leading to amputation. For the authors of the study, this is an underestimated social problem. In experiments conducted with models of diabetes-related wounds, they found similar results. ” We can increase the speed of healing so that cells affected by diabetes almost match healthy skin cells », said Maria Asplund, Associate Professor of Bioelectronics at Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden) and Head of Research.
From now on, the researchers want to adapt the electric current to each wound. ” We want to develop a concept to “scan” wounds and adapt the stimulation to the individual wound. We believe this is the key to effectively helping people with slow-healing wounds “, concluded Maria Asplund.
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