Effects of functional poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanofibers modified with sericin-capped silver nanoparticles on histopathological changes in parenchymal organs and oxidative stress in a rat burn wound model

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of a poly(ethylene terephthalate)-g-poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PET-g-HEMA) nanofiber wound dressing modified with sericin-coated silver nanoparticles (S-AgNPs) on internal organs, oxidative stress, and biochemical parameters. To establish a burn model, the backs of anesthetized rats were shaved and then third-degree burns were created with a round-bottomed stainless steel rod 2 cm in diameter kept in 100 °C water for 20 seconds. The wounds of the negative control group (G1) were covered with standard bandages; the wounds of the positive control group (G2) were covered with silvercel, used as burn wound material; and the wounds of the experimental group (G3) were covered with PET-based dressing material. Histopathological changes in organs (liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, lungs), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), nitric oxide (NO), and biochemical parameters (serum aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], gamma glutamyl transpeptidase [GGT], creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], total protein, albumin, globulin, urea) were examined. Compared with the G1 group, plasma AST, ALT, and GGT levels were found to be significantly decreased in G2 and G3 (P<0.001). Plasma TAS was found to be significantly increased in G2 and G3 compared to G1 (P<0.05). Compared to the G1 group, degenerative and necrotic changes in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas were found to be significantly reduced in G2 and G3 (P<0.05). In conclusion, this work demonstrates that the synthesized PET-based wound dressing material has the capacity to be used commercially.