Application of Physically Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel in the Treatment of Radiation-Induced Skin Injury

Wounds caused by radiation exposure are often hard to heal. The functional hydrogel can be used as a wound treatment material of multiple dimensions according to patients' needs. Hyaluronic acid hydrogel can be used to create a moist environment conducive to wound healing. In this study, new complex hydrogels based on physically crosslinked hyaluronic acid are investigated, which adopt the freeze-thaw technique, loaded with small molecule drugs deferoxamine and retinoic acid, and effectively promote the healing of radiation-induced skin ulcers. The combined application of deferoxamine and retinoic acid can improve skin injury after radiation, promoting angiogenesis, reducing inflammation, and protecting skin appendages. In vitro and in vivo results show enhanced cell viability and biological function, significantly accelerate healing of the irradiated wounds, and improve collagen deposition in the skin of the irradiated rats. Also, the skin appendages, such as hair follicles, are protected to a certain extent, implying functionally repairing the skin. Considering the ease of use of the hydrogel system in clinical applications, complex hydrogels can be considered a suitable candidate for treating radiation-induced skin injury.