Smart Microneedles Deliver Hydrogen for Post-Surgery Pain Relief
- Authors
- Aining Zhang, Xue Jiang, Bingrui Xiong, Jiayi Chen, Xin Liu, Siyuan Wang, Bofu li, Mian Peng, Wei Li
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Year
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1002/advs.202503698
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Post-Surgical Pain
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Researchers developed a new type of skin patch with tiny needles that can release pain relief medication and hydrogen gas to help manage pain and heal wounds after surgery.
Key Finding
Microneedles delivering sustained hydrogen therapy provided pain relief for up to 5 days in rats while simultaneously promoting wound healing at surgical incision sites.
Summary
Researchers developed a new type of microneedle patch (tiny needle-like structures) that delivers hydrogen gas and pain medication directly through the skin at surgical wound sites. In rat studies, the patch released hydrogen continuously for up to 5 days and reduced pain while also helping wounds heal faster, especially in the acidic environment created by fresh surgical cuts.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research conducted only in rats, so it's not yet clear if this approach would work safely or effectively in humans. The study does suggest hydrogen may have dual benefits for pain and healing, but much more research—including human trials—would be needed before this technology could be used clinically.
Abstract
Effective management of postoperative pain and wound healing presents significant challenges in clinical settings, driving the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. The analgesic and wound healing effects of hydrogen (H2) have gradually been recognized; however, the lack of efficient hydrogen delivery systems remains a major limitation. This study introduces a novel transdermal drug delivery system, which utilizes sustained-release photothermal microneedles (MNs) to ameliorate incisional pain and accelerate wound healing. Polydopamine (PDA)-modified ZIF-8@ammonia borane (AB) nanoparticles with photothermal conversion properties are designed, along with temperature-responsive QX-314-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres for controlled release, which are delivered in vivo by dissolvable MNs. In vitro results showed that PDA@ZIF-8@AB nanoparticles can release H2 continuously for up to 5 days in an acidic microenvironment, while the photothermal properties of PDA facilitated controlled release of QX-314 through 6 cycles of near-infrared (NIR) exposure. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the MN system provided sustained analgesia for up to 5 days and promoted wound healing in the acidic microenvironment of postoperative incisions. Upon NIR exposure, the photothermal conversion of PDA activated membrane ion channels and induced thermally triggered deformation of PCL@QX-314 microspheres, allowing for on-demand release of QX-314 and targeted neuronal uptake, thus offering personalized analgesia. In vitro cell experiments and in vivo studies confirmed the biocompatibility of the system. This innovative approach not only highlights the dual role of H2 in pain relief and wound healing but also provides a new personalized treatment strategy for postoperative pain management with promising clinical applications.