Single-atom nanozymes catalytically surpassing naturally occurring enzymes as sustained stitching for brain trauma

Regenerable nanozymes with high catalytic stability and sustainability are promising substitutes for naturally-occurring enzymes but are limited by insufficient and non-selective catalytic activities. Herein, we developed single-atom nanozymes of RhN4, VN4, and Fe-Cu-N6 with catalytic activities surpassing natural enzymes. Notably, Rh/VN4 preferably forms an Rh/V-O-N4 active center to decrease reaction energy barriers and mediates a "two-sided oxygen-linked" reaction path, showing 4 and 5-fold higher affinities in peroxidase-like activity than the FeN4 and natural horseradish peroxidase. Furthermore, RhN4 presents a 20-fold improved affinity in the catalase-like activity compared to the natural catalase; Fe-Cu-N6 displays selectivity towards the superoxide dismutase-like activity; VN4 favors a 7-fold higher glutathione peroxidase-like activity than the natural glutathione peroxidase. Bioactive sutures with Rh/VN4 show recyclable catalytic features without apparent decay in 1 month and accelerate the scalp healing from brain trauma by promoting the vascular endothelial growth factor, regulating the immune cells like macrophages, and diminishing inflammation.

Shaofang Zhang, Yonghui Li, Si Sun, Ling Liu, Xiaoyu Mu, Shuhu Liu, Menglu Jiao, Xinzhu Chen, Ke Chen, Huizhen Ma, Tuo Li, Xiaoyu Liu, Hao Wang, Jianning Zhang, Jiang Yang, Xiao-Dong Zhang