Epidermal growth factor (EGF) can be efficiently used in wound healing process; but the main obstacle of its clinical use is its susceptibility to proteolysis and maintaining its effective concentration in the site of action. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles containing EGF is formulated using a simple method to increase its stability in physiological pH as well as protect its biological activity and effectiveness in wound healing process. Nanoparticles with different ratios of chitosan/EGF were prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Obtained results showed nanoparticles with 2:1 ratio of chitosan/EGF were able to release 80% of encapsulated protein after 12 h. Cell proliferation study demonstrated that prepared nanoparticles could protect EGF functionality in physiological pH. In vivo results showed that nanoparticles with 2:1 ratio of chitosan/EGF could significantly accelerate the wound closure-rate, re-epithelialisation and collagen deposition. In conclusion, the designed nanoparticles in optimal ratio can be considered as a potential vehicle for EGF delivery to wounds with the aim of improving healing process.

中文翻译：

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载有表皮生长因子的壳聚糖纳米颗粒作为伤口愈合的潜在蛋白质载体：体外和体内研究。

表皮生长因子（EGF）可有效用于伤口愈合过程；但其临床应用的主要障碍是其对蛋白水解的敏感性以及在作用部位维持其有效浓度。在这项研究中，含有 EGF 的壳聚糖纳米颗粒使用一种简单的方法配制而成，以增加其在生理 pH 值下的稳定性，并保护其在伤口愈合过程中的生物活性和有效性。制备了具有不同壳聚糖/EGF 比例的纳米颗粒，并在体外和体内进行了评估。获得的结果表明，壳聚糖/EGF 比例为 2:1 的纳米颗粒在 12 小时后能够释放 80% 的封装蛋白。细胞增殖研究表明，制备的纳米颗粒可以保护生理 pH 下的 EGF 功能。体内结果表明，具有 2 的纳米颗粒：1比例的壳聚糖/EGF可显着加速伤口闭合率、再上皮化和胶原沉积。总之，以最佳比例设计的纳米颗粒可被视为将 EGF 递送至伤口以改善愈合过程的潜在载体。