Fish collagen sponge with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for diabetic wound repair in rats

Abstract Stem cell therapy offers a novel approach to treating difbetic foot ulcers. Fish skin decellularized matrix, a type I collagen, provides a promising carrier for stem cells, creating a supportive microenvironment that enhances cell survival and therapeutic potential. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) loaded onto a fish collagen sponge for wound healing in diabetic rats. The study evaluates stem cell‐loading efficiency with fish collagen sponge in vitro, assesses material distribution on diabetic rat wounds, and establishes a wound model. Rats are divided into the Self‐healing group, Fish collagen sponge group, and Sponge loaded with HUCMSCs group. Therapeutic effects are evaluated through various analyses, including histopathology and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for collagen‐related gene expression levels. Compared to the self‐healing group, both the fish collagen group and the composite group show faster wound repair and improved healing outcomes. The composite group exhibits superior wound healing quality, with fish collagen contributing to enhanced tissue regeneration through collagen regulation at the wound site. Loading HUCMSCs onto a fish collagen sponge shows promise for treating diabetic wounds by addressing nutrient deficiency and cell supply issues, offering potential benefits for patients undergoing treatment.