Hydrogen Dressing Heals Diabetic Foot Ulcers in New Study
- Authors
- Ziyu Xu, Xinyu Cui, Houbin Chu, Hao Wan, Yunbo Xie, Ying Wang, Qingbin Ni, Xiaolin Ding, Guohua Song
- Journal
- Journal of Diabetes
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1111/1753-0407.70209
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Diabetic Foot Ulcer
- Body System
- Integumentary
TL;DR
A hydrogen-enriched hyaluronic acid dressing improved diabetic wound healing by reducing inflammation and activating mitochondrial repair pathways.
Key Finding
A hydrogen-enriched hyaluronic acid dressing promoted wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers by activating a cellular pathway that removes damaged mitochondria and reduces oxidative stress in rat models and human cell cultures.
Summary
Researchers developed a wound dressing containing hydrogen and hyaluronic acid to treat diabetic foot ulcers (open sores that develop in people with diabetes). In rat studies and laboratory tests with human cells, the dressing improved wound healing, reduced inflammation and cell damage, and helped cells survive better by activating a cellular cleanup process called mitophagy (where cells remove damaged mitochondria, which are the energy-producing parts of cells).
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage research in rats and laboratory cells suggests hydrogen-enriched dressings may help diabetic wound healing, but human clinical trials are needed to confirm effectiveness and safety. The study does not provide evidence that hydrogen water taken orally would have similar effects.
Abstract
ObjectiveDiabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes. This study developed a hydrogen-enriched hyaluronic acid (HA) dressing and aimed to explore its therapeutic effects and mechanisms in DFU treatment.MethodsA combination of vacuum-assisted closure (VSD) and hydrogen-rich saline was used to treat DFU patients and assess the clinical outcomes of wound repair. A rat model of DFU was established, and treatment with hydrogen-enriched HA dressing. Subsequently, the protective effects of the dressing were evaluated, including histological studies, the expression of inflammatory factors and angiogenesis markers. Western blot was used to analyze the expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins. In vitro, the role of HA and hydrogen on cell mitochondrial damage, apoptosis, migration, and markers associated with mitophagy pathways in human foreskin fibroblast-1 (HFF-1) was assessed.ResultsVSD combined with hydrogen-rich saline significantly enhanced wound healing in patients, while reducing inflammation and oxidative damage. In vivo studies showed that the dressing promoted wound healing, increased collagen deposition, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and enhanced neovascularization. In vitro studies, high glucose induced cell morphological damage and oxidative stress, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to apoptosis and attenuating cell migration. However, both HA and hydrogen significantly induced SIRT3 expression and activated the downstream FOXO3A/PINK1-PARKIN signaling pathway, promoting mitochondrial autophagy and reducing cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway was also activated, decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and enhancing migration.ConclusionThis study confirmed that the hydrogen-enriched HA dressing has the potential to enhance diabetic wound repair.