Autologous nanofat transplantation accelerates foot wound healing in diabetic rats

Aim: This study explored the effects of local transplantation of autologous nanofat in the treatment of rats with diabetic foot wounds. Materials & methods: Nanofat was transplanted into the left foot wound of diabetic rats. Phosphate-buffered saline injection in the right served as control. We measured wound size, the extent of epithelization, microvessel density and the expression levels of cytokines at six different time-points postoperation. Results: Comparedwith the control feet, nanofat-treated feet had significantly smaller wound areas at 7 and 9 days after grafting and showed better re-epithelialization, a greater number of microvessels and higher levels of angiogenic factor expression. Conclusion: This research shows that autologous nanofat transplantation can promote diabetic foot wound healing in rats.