# Photocatalytic glucose depletion and hydrogen generation for diabetic wound healing.
> 光触媒によるグルコース消費と水素生成を利用した糖尿病性創傷治癒の促進


## Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are characterized by a high-glucose microenvironment that drives excessive glycation and persistent inflammation, impairing wound closure. Conventional hydrogen-rich water baths offer anti-inflammatory benefits but require prolonged daily soaking, which interferes with scab formation and fails to address the underlying hyperglycemic milieu. This study introduces hydrogen-incorporated titanium oxide nanorods capable of visible-light-driven photocatalysis that simultaneously consumes local glucose and generates hydrogen gas, using the excess glucose as a sacrificial reagent. In diabetic wound models, this dual action reduced advanced glycation end-product (AGE) synthesis and downregulated AGE receptor expression, collectively suppressing skin-cell apoptosis while enhancing proliferation and migration. The approach achieved markedly improved wound healing outcomes, offering a practical and efficient photocatalytic strategy for DFU management.

### Mechanism

Hydrogen-incorporated TiO2 nanorods use excess glucose as a sacrificial agent under visible light to generate H2 locally. The combined glucose depletion and H2 production suppress AGE synthesis and receptor expression, reducing skin-cell apoptosis and promoting proliferation and migration.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Chen SL, Zhu Y, Xu Q, Jiang Q, Chen DM, Chen TX, et al.
- **Journal**: Nat Commun
- **Year**: 2022 (2022-09-27)
- **PMID**: [36167814](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36167814/)
- **DOI**: [10.1038/s41467-022-33475-7](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33475-7)
- **PMC**: [PMC9515190](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9515190/)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: topical application
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Topical applications have localized-effect reports, but systemic hydrogen intake is most efficient via inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Topical applications have localized-effect reports, but systemic hydrogen intake is most efficient via inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 36167814. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/36167814
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [36167814](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36167814/)