UC Riverside oxygen-generating gel may prevent amputations caused by chronic wounds

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have developed a new oxygen-providing gel designed to treat chronic wounds, a condition growing more common as populations age and diabetes rates rise.

Chronic wounds, which persist for more than a month, significantly increase the risk of infection and limb amputation. The study identified a severe lack of oxygen deep within damaged tissue as a primary cause of these complications.

The flexible gel is made from biocompatible and antibacterial materials. When connected to a battery, it functions as a miniature electrochemical device that splits water molecules to continuously release oxygen directly into the wound.

In trials involving aged and diabetic mice, wounds treated with the gel patch healed in approximately 23 days. In contrast, untreated animals in the study often did not survive.

Scientists believe this technology has the potential to reduce the number of amputations and improve the overall quality of life for patients suffering from persistent injuries.

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have developed a specialized hydrogel that moves beyond conventional wound dressings by addressing the underlying physiological driver of chronic wounds: hypoxia. While current standards of care typically rely on topical treatments or intermittent oxygen delivery, this bioengineered gel functions as an in-situ micro-factory, providing a continuous and stable oxygen supply directly to deep-tissue sites. This localized delivery is critical for triggering angiogenesis and tissue regeneration—phases of the healing process that frequently stall in chronic cases.

Beyond oxygenation, the material’s significance lies in its dual-action therapeutic profile. The integration of a choline-based component allows the gel to modulate immune responses and suppress hyper-inflammation, a hallmark of non-healing wounds. By simultaneously resolving oxygen deficiency and regulating the inflammatory environment, the technology offers a synergistic approach that could significantly compress healing timelines.

Although the technology is currently in the animal-testing phase, its implications extend well into the broader field of regenerative medicine. Successfully solving the oxygen-diffusion limit in thick tissue represents a pivot point for the laboratory cultivation of replacement organs and complex tissues. Should it clear regulatory hurdles and achieve commercialization, this platform technology holds the potential to reshape the clinical management of chronic wounds—a multi-billion dollar healthcare challenge that continues to escalate in prevalence globally.

Diabetes and age-related health issues are significant concerns for the Vietnamese-American community, particularly for our older generation. Consequently, advancements in treating chronic wounds—a common complication of diabetes—are directly relevant to the health and well-being of our community, from families in Little Saigon to those working across the nail salon industry.