Evelyn Lorene Rodrigues

Brazil

Evaluation of Skin Regeneration Using Fibrin Biopolymer and Nano-Hydroxyapatite Associated with Photobiomodulation

Evelyn Lorene Rodrigues da Silva1, Samuel de Sousa Morais1, Alexandre José Jacintho1, Camila Pascoal Correia dos Santos2, Paola Espinosa Cruel2, Rogério Leone Buchaim2, Daniela Vieira Buchaim1,2

1. Medical School, University Center of Adamantina (FAI), Adamantina, SP, Brazil
2. Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry (FOB/USP), University of Sao Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil

Abstract

Background

The skin is essential for maintaining homeostasis, and its loss may cause complications, delayed healing, and greater infection risk (Lefèvre-Utile, 2021; Menglei et al., 2021). Seeking innovative tissue repair strategies, fibrin sealants have proven effective in enhancing cell adhesion, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration (Buchaim et al., 2016; De Oliveira Gonçalves et al., 2016). Additionally, calcium nano-hydroxyapatite has gained prominence for its biodegradability and biocompatibility, making it a promising biomaterial for wound-healing protocols (Peifen et al., 2023).
Moreover, intravenous photobiomodulation (ILIB) has emerged as a relevant adjuvant therapy due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and reparative effects (Henriques et al., 2010; Glass, 2021).
In this context, the study evaluated the effects of ILIB combined with fibrin biopolymer and calcium nano-hydroxyapatite on skin repair, investigating potential synergistic benefits.

Methods

30 Wistar rats were used, divided into two groups of 15 animals each: without photobiomodulation (G1) and with intravenous photobiomodulation (G2). Each animal received four standardized lesions treated with: clot (control), fibrin biopolymer, nano-hydroxyapatite, and the combination of both. The G2 group received ILIB (660 nm, 100 mW, 8 J) applied over the caudal vein weekly. Evaluations were performed at 3, 7, and 15 days, with macro and microscopic analysis after euthanasia of five animals from each group at each time point.
All experimental procedures were previously approved by the Ethics Committee (CIAEP:01.0218.2014)

Results

All procedures occurred without complications, and all animals recovered adequately. By day seven, wounds in both G1 and G2 evolved similarly, with superficial crust formation, gradual regression, and early hair regrowth. On day 14, microscopy showed epithelial preservation in all groups, with superior tissue organization, extracellular matrix restructuring, and greater maturation in the nano-hydroxyapatite and nano-hydroxyapatite + fibrin biopolymer treatments. The combined biomaterials showed a synergistic effect, promoting more efficient and higher-quality repair, while ILIB may contribute to improved long-term responses.

Conclusions

The combination of fibrin biopolymer and calcium nano-hydroxyapatite was effective in promoting skin repair, resulting in greater structural organization and improved healing quality.