Graphene Far-Infrared Therapy Enhances Diabetic Wound Healing Through Potential Mitigation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation and Regulation of Chemokines and Macrophage Polarization
Summary: This 2026 preclinical study evaluates graphene-based far-infrared (FIR) radiation therapy in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat full-thickness wound model. Graphene FIR significantly accelerated wound closure (reaching 83.9% healing by day 14 versus 66.8% in untreated controls), improved re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and neovascularization. Mechanistic analyses (RNA sequencing, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and high-glucose cell assays) showed reduced ROS accumulation, downregulation of pro-inflammatory chemokines (Cxcl2/Cxcl3), suppression of M1 macrophage polarization with promotion of M2 shift, and inhibition of NF-κB signaling. These coordinated immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects restored a pro-regenerative microenvironment. The noninvasive approach offers promise as an adjunctive therapy for hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers.
Key Highlights:
- Accelerated wound closure and tissue remodeling in diabetic models
- Reduced oxidative stress and inflammation via ROS downregulation
- Macrophage polarization shift (M1 suppression, M2 promotion) and chemokine regulation
- Authors: Xinyu Jian, Xuanjun Wu, Xian Luo, Chengwei Cao, Qianwen Wu, Ziwen Chen et al.
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Keywords: graphene FIR, diabetic wound healing, macrophage polarization, oxidative stress, Xinyu Jian