Microsphere-loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel with Leptin and VEGF for Combined Radiation and Wound Injury Treatment

doi:10.1007/s40242-025-5071-3

Chemical Research in Chinese Universities ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 231-243.doi: 10.1007/s40242-025-5071-3

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Microsphere-loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel with Leptin and VEGF for Combined Radiation and Wound Injury Treatment

LI Lingfeng¹, WANG Bizhou¹, ZHAI Jianjia¹, WANG Bowei², LIU Zhihui¹

1. Department of Prosthodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P. R. China;
2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, P. R. China

Received:2025-04-20 Online:2026-02-01 Published:2026-01-28
Contact: LIU Zhihui,E-mail:Liu_zh@jlu.edu.cn;WANG Bowei,E-mail:wangbw@jlu.edu.cn E-mail:Liu_zh@jlu.edu.cn;wangbw@jlu.edu.cn
Supported by:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82370934), the Graduate Innovation Fund of Jilin University, China (No. 2024CX143), and the Science and Technology Development Plan Project of Jilin Province, China (No. 20230204076YY).

Abstract

Abstract: Combined radiation and wound injury (CRWI), caused by the interaction between radiation and trauma, presents major challenges to wound healing and is a key focus in trauma and radiation medicine. This study developed a microsphereencapsulated composite hydrogel loaded with leptin (LP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to enhance CRWI wound healing. Drug-loaded sodium alginate (SA) microspheres were fabricated using the emulsion cross-linking method and integrated into thermosensitive Pluronic hydrogel to form the VEGF/LP-SA@P nanodelivery system. The microspheres' physicochemical properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rheometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The results showed that the microspheres had an intact structure with uniform size distribution, LP and VEGF encapsulation efficiencies of 48.01% and 49.58%, respectively, and enabled sustained drug release over 14 d. The hydrogel exhibited a phase transition temperature of 21.2 ℃ and a rapid phase transition time of 8 s. In vitro, VEGF/LPSA@P reversed radiation-induced reductions in cell migration, oxidative stress elevation, and apoptosis. In vivo, the hydrogel accelerated CRWI wound healing and reduced scar tissue formation, likely through promoting angiogenesis, modulating collagen fiber ratios, and inhibiting apoptosis. In conclusion, VEGF/LP-SA@P shows significant potential for CRWI treatment.

Key words: Combined radiation and wound injury, Leptin, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

LI Lingfeng, WANG Bizhou, ZHAI Jianjia, WANG Bowei, LIU Zhihui. Microsphere-loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel with Leptin and VEGF for Combined Radiation and Wound Injury Treatment[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2026, 42(1): 231-243.

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Microsphere-loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel with Leptin and VEGF for Combined Radiation and Wound Injury Treatment

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