Treatment of Fungal-Infected Diabetic Wounds with Low Temperature Plasma

Diabetes mellitus renders patients susceptible to chronic wounds and various infections. Regarding the latter, fungal infections are of particular concern since, although they are the source of significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, they are generally resistant to conventional treatment and a definite treatment strategy has not yet been established. Herein, we report the treatment of skin wounds in a diabetic rat model, infected by Candida albicans, with low temperature helium plasma generated in a hand-held atmospheric jet device. A fungal infection was induced on two dorsal skin wounds of the diabetic rats, and one wound was treated with the plasma jet whereas the other served as a control. Histological analysis revealed accelerated skin wound healing and decreased evidence of fungal infection in the plasma-treated group, as compared to the control group. Regeneration of the epidermis and dermis, collagen deposition, and neovascularization were all observed as a result of plasma treatment, but without wound contraction, scar formation or any evidence of thermal damage to the tissue. These findings demonstrate that the He plasma jet is remarkably effective in diabetic skin wounds infected by Candida albicans, thereby providing a promising medical treatment option for diabetes mellitus patients with skin wound and fungal infections.

GENETIC ASSOCIATION OF HYPOXIA INDUCIBLE FACTOR (HIF) – 1 ALPHA GENE AND RESIDUAL RIDGE RESORPTION OF JAW BONE

Due to considerable alterations in individual bone structure, the residual ridge is constantly under the stress of bone resorption. In certain circumstances, this can cause disproportionate bone deterioration, making restorative dental management difficult. This inimitable curative procedure in the oral cavity is affected by specific factors in the oral tissue. A variety of HIFs are expressed during the healing of oral wounds in comparison to skin wounds. The target of this review article was to look at a cistron tic connotation among SNP of the HIF-1 α gene that is understood to own great genetic diversity, and also the residual ridge reabsorption (RRR). Hence, this review concentrates on the association and genetic basis of HIF α gene in residual ridge resorption.

Evaluation of In Vitro Wound-Healing Potential, Antioxidant Capacity, and Antimicrobial Activity of Stellaria media (L.) Vill

The healing of skin wounds remains an important concern in medicine, especially in chronic wounds caused by various diseases such as diabetes. Using herbs or herbal products to heal skin wounds is a therapeutic challenge for traditional medicine. In this context, the main aim of our work was to highlight the in vitro healing potential of Stellaria media (L.) Vill. (SM) extract using the scratch assay on normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF). The ability to stimulate cell migration and proliferation under the influence of different concentrations of SM extract (range between 12.5 and 200 µg/mL) was determined compared to the control (untreated in vitro-simulated wound) and positive control (allantoin 50 µg/mL). Our results showed that the concentration of 100 µg/mL SM extract applied on the simulated wound recorded the strongest and fastest (24 h) migration (with wound closure) and proliferation of NHDF compared with the control. In addition, the SM extract was characterized in terms of bioactive compounds (total phenols and flavonoids content), antioxidant capacity (FRAP (The Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power) assay and electrochemical method), and antimicrobial activity. The results show that the SM extract contains a considerable amount of polyphenols (17.19 ± 1.32 mg GAE/g dw and 7.28 ± 1.18 mg QE/g dw for total phenol and flavonoid content, respectively) with antioxidant capacity. Antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus) is higher than E. coli at a dose of 15 µg/mL. This study showed that Stellaria media is a source of polyphenols compounds with antioxidant capacity, and for the first time, its wound healing potential was emphasized.

An Anhydrous Sodium Chloride Skin Preservation Model for Studies on Keratinocytes Grafting into the Wounds

Background. Human skin is needed for covering large body areas lost by trauma. The shortcomings of contemporary methods of skin storage are limited preservation time and high immunogenicity if allogeneic. Methods. We investigated whether long-lasting skin preservation in anhydrous sodium chloride (NaCl) may be the source of keratinocytes (KCs) for transplantation. Dehydrated skin fragments were preserved for a time frame from 1 week to 12 months. Then, skin fragments were rehydrated, and KCs were isolated. The viability of KCs was assessed in viability/cytotoxicity test. NaCl-preserved KCs were cultured for 7 days and transplanted to the dorsum of SCID mice. Results. The morphology of NaCl-preserved KCs was unaltered. KCs from all epidermal layers could be identified. All grafts were accepted by the recipients. Transplanted KCs: synthesized keratins 10 and 16 expressed antigens specific for stem cells and transient-amplifying cells, and remained HLA-I-positive. Moreover, they expressed the proliferative marker PCNA. Cells isolated from transplants remained viable and produced enzymes. Conclusions. Transplantation of KCs obtained from human skin and stored in anhydrous NaCl may be considered for the closure of extensive skin wounds. The originality of this method consists of an effective storage procedure and easy preparation of keratinocytes for transplantation.

LED Photobiomodulation Therapy Associated with Heterologous Fibrin Biopolymer Optimizes Wound Repair in Rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of LED photobiomodulation therapy associated or not with heterologous fibrin biopolymer to repair skin wounds in rats. Full-thickness skin wounds were induced on the back of 84 Wistar rats and they were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (CG), LED group (LED), heterologous fibrin biopolymer group (HFB), and LED + heterologous fibrin biopolymer group (LED + HFB). The animals were euthanized at 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery. In the macroscopic findings, it was observed in the control group, mild local inflammation, evidenced between the 5th and 6th day after the injury, not manifested in the other groups. The analysis of the wound reduction index shown that the treated groups presented greater wound reduction in the three periods evaluated. The results of the degree of inflammation showed that the LED and LED + HFB groups showed a predominance of chronic inflammation, while the control group showed a predominance of diffuse acute inflammation. The quantity of type I collagen it was bigger after 7 days in the LED and LED + HFB groups, and at 14 and 21 days this type of collagen appears more intensely in the group that used only HFB. The traction force at 7 days of the experiment, the treated groups showed better performance, while at 14 and 21 days the group that used only the biopolymer obtained greater strength in the suture region. Results have indicated that treatments using HFB and LED, either isolated or associated, stimulated the wound repair process in rats. HFB promote collagen maturation.

Combined Negative Effects of Microplastics and Plasticizer DEHP: the Increased Release of Nets Delays Wound Healing

Introduction: Environmental pollutants microplastics (MPs) and di (2-ethyl) hexyl phthalate (DEHP) can cause damage to multiple organs by causing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress participates in the healing of skin wounds through the release of neutrophil extranets (Nets). Here, we studied the effects of DEHP and MPs on skin wound healing in mice after single and combined exposure for 1 month. Results: The results showed that MPs delayed the healing of skin wounds, and the combination of the two delayed wound healing more significantly. The results of in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the release of oxidative stress and Nets in the single exposure group increased, and the combined exposure group increased more. Further mechanism studies showed that the skin chemokines of the single exposure group increased, the NF-κB pathway was activated, the Wnt pathway was inhibited, and the epidermal growth factor and fibrosis-related indicators decreased. The combined exposure group showed a more obvious trend.Conclusion: In summary, the above results indicate that DEHP combined with MPs induces an increase in the release of Nets by causing excessive skin ROS production and increases the expression of chemokines and interferes with the expression of healing factors by regulating the NF-κB and Wnt pathways.