Oxygen producing biomaterials for tissue regeneration

A limiting factor in regenerating large organs and healing large wounds completely is the inability to provide oxygen to the affected areas for vascularization and healing to occur. An oxygen rich compound of sodium percarbonate was incorporated into films of Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and used for in situ production of oxygen. Oxygen release could be observed from the film over a period of 24 h. When the oxygen producing biomaterials were placed in contact with ischemic tissue in a mouse model, decreased tissue necrosis and cellular apoptosis was observed. This indicates that improved tissue viability could be maintained for several days using oxygen producing biomaterials. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.