D. Juárez Bautista, M.C. Rodríguez Aranda, J.L. Ramírez García Luna, L.E. Alcántara Quintana, M.A. Martínez Jiménez, E.S. Kolosovas Machuca
Universidad Autónoma De San Luis Potosí (UASLP),
Mexico
Keywords: wound dressing, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, biopolymers, wound healing, degradation behavior
Summary:
The in-situ degradation of alloplastic materials was analyzed using Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. This study focuses on two innovative medical wound dressings: SupraSDRM®, a bimodal microporous membrane, and Suprathel®, a microporous membrane, both widely used in treating chronic wounds and second-degree burns. These materials are composed of copolymers of DL-lactide, ε-caprolactone, and trimethylene carbonate. The molecular structure evolution of the wound dressing was evaluated under simulated physiological conditions using phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The initial spectroscopic analysis confirmed the predominantly amorphous nature of these copolymeric structures, a critical feature for their mechanical flexibility, biodegradability, and adaptability in wound healing applications. Over time, however, the spectra revealed a significant increase in crystallinity, as demonstrated by the emergence of sharper Raman bands and more defined FTIR absorption peaks. This transition is attributed to molecular chain reorganization during hydrolytic degradation, which is accelerated by interaction with the aqueous physiological environment. The results demonstrate that polylactic acid degradation products are biologically active, validating the biological activity for which they were designed. First, they were observed to induce pseudo-hypoxia, which increases tissue vascularization. Second, they regulate genes related to cell proliferation. Third, they modulate the inflammatory environment through immunomodulation mechanisms. Finally, they cause pH acidification in the wound environment due to the conversion of lactate monomers into lactic acid. It is important to note that there are already published clinical studies documenting the biological effects of these dressings. However, this study represents the first time that optical spectroscopy confirms the chemical fingerprint of the wound dressing residue in the environment where it is applied. These findings provide a clearer understanding of the relationship between structural changes and the functional performance of these membranes in biomedical settings. The study highlights the importance of spectroscopic techniques for real-time monitoring to optimize the design and application of materials properties for enhanced clinical effects.