Biological characteristics of stem cells derived from burned skin—a comparative study with umbilical cord stem cells

Introduction Burned human skin, which is routinely excised and discarded, contains viable mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (burn-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells; BD-MSCs). These cells show promising potential to enable and aid wound regeneration. However, little is known about their cell characteristics and biological function. Objectives This study had two aims: first, to assess critical and cellular characteristics of BD-MSCs and, second, to compare those results with multipotent well-characterized MSCs from Wharton’s jelly of human umbilical cords (umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, UC-MSCs). Methods BD- and UC-MSCs were compared using immunophenotyping, multi-lineage differentiation, seahorse analysis for glycolytic and mitochondrial function, immune surface markers, and cell secretion profile assays. Results When compared to UC-MSCs, BD-MSCs demonstrated a lower mesenchymal differentiation capacity and altered inflammatory cytokine secretomes at baseline and after stimulation with lipopolysaccharides. No significant differences were found in population doubling time, colony formation, cell proliferation cell cycle, production of reactive oxygen species, glycolytic and mitochondrial function, and in the expression of major histocompatibility complex I and II and toll-like receptor (TLR). Importance, translation This study reveals valuable insights about MSCs obtained from burned skin and show comparable cellular characteristics with UC-MSCs, highlighting their potentials in cell therapy and skin regeneration.

Experimental study comparing burn healing effects of raw South African Shea butter and the samples from a Libyan market

Background: The fat extracted from the nut of the African Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is called Shea butter. It has multiple uses at the local level as it is used in cosmetic products and as a cocoa butter substitute in chocolate industries. It has a high nutritious value and is also a valuable product on the local, national, and international markets, making it the ideal candidate to research and invest in.Aim: This study is a comparative experimental study of the possible burn healing effects between imported South African raw Shea butter and samples in a Libyan market.Method: The control samples were brought from South Africa (Benin traditional markets). A total of 18 different samples were collected from different sale centers in Tripoli, including pharmacies, beauty shops, and spices shops, in addition to one sample brought from Poland. Animal experiment on burn healing effect was carried out on nine male Sprague Dawley (350–400 g) rats aged 6–8 weeks old. After shaving the animal’s dorsum hair, a metal cube was used to create a deep second degree burn wound, and the cube was heated to 100°C for 20 seconds. Medication with Shea butter (control, T1, and T2) was initiated daily for one for these groups by the application of a thin film of the Shea butter samples on the burned areas. On days 1, 3, and 7, the rats were anesthetised and a sample from the burned scar tissue and skin adjacent were evaluated using pathological parameters.Results: The histological study indicates that the use of Shea butter T1 as topical treatment induces an immune response, which enhances the form of the presence of a large number of inflammatory cells in the epidermis and dermis layers. The treatment of burned skin with T2 lasted for 72 hours and it showed slightly significant healing in the normal structure of proliferative granulation tissue with accumulation of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells surrounding the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Small areas of the epidermis which formed few layers were observed and some hair roots were grown. This was well seen in cases of T1 and T2. Shea butter bought as raw might have a bad effect on burned skin. Conclusion: Shea butter bought as raw might have bad effect on burned skin. On the other hand, the sample from Poland had a therapeutic effect, which was because of the additives such as avocado oil, grape seed oil, and others.

Endogenous Antioxidant Cocktail Loaded Hydrogel for Topical Wound Healing of Burns

The main goal of this work is the study of the skin wound healing efficacy of an antioxidant cocktail consisting of vitamins A, D, E and the endogenous pineal hormone melatonin (MLT), with all of these loaded into a thermosensitive hydrogel delivery system. The resulting formulation was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The antioxidant efficacy and microbiological activity against Gram positive and Gram negative strains were also assayed. The skin healing efficacy was tested using an in vivo model which included histological evaluation. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy was employed to evaluate the wound healing efficacy of rat skin burns through the determination of its elasticity at the nanoscale using force spectroscopy analysis. The resulting hydrogel exhibited sol state at low temperature and turned into a gel at 30 ± 0.2 °C. The hydrogel containing the antioxidant cocktail showed higher scavenging activity than the hydrogel containing vitamins or MLT, separately. The formulation showed optimal antimicrobial activity. It was comparable to a commercial reference. It was also evidenced that the hydrogel containing the antioxidant cocktail exhibited the strongest healing process in the skin burns of rats, similar to the assayed commercial reference containing silver sulfadiazine. Histological studies confirmed the observed results. Finally, atomic force microscopy demonstrated a similar distribution of Young’s modulus values between burned skin treated with the commercial reference and burned skin treated with hydrogel containing the antioxidant cocktail, and all these with healthy skin. The use of an antioxidant cocktail of vitamins and MLT might be a promising treatment for skin wounds for future clinical studies.

Skin Healing of Deep Second Degree Burn Injuries in Four Individuals Sustained in a Boat Explosion—Results after Different Approaches

Intermediate and deep second-degree skin burn injuries are an ongoing challenge for burn surgeons, with the difficult decision regarding whether to handle them with either conservative or operative methods. In this study, the outcome of similar deep second-degree skin burn injuries is shown with the example of four family members. Clinical outcomes of the four family members which were treated at our burn center in 2017 were analyzed. The areas of burned skin (IIa°-IIb°) extended from 14% to 38% of the total burned skin area. Surgical treatment was adjusted to the rate of epithelialization after the first debridement. The excellent cosmetic long-term results of this patient cohort support the importance of stage-related therapy of deep dermal burn injuries. An initial debridement followed by early coverage is the key to early reconstitution of the epidermal barrier. However, with regard to the late effects of skin substitutes, more sensory alterations, dysesthesia, hyperpigmentation and unstable skin areas are still visible after coverage with glycerol conserved skin. The best results were seen after the use of autologous STGS and synthetic skin.

Child Death Due to Dermal Opium Application: A Case Report

Background: Incorrect belief about opioid efficacy is a major cause of acute pediatric poisonings in Iran. We report a rare case of topical opium application that caused death in a 4-year-old child. Case: A 4-year old girl was examined with burns over her abdominal area and lower extremities. Her parents had applied opium on burned area to relieve her pain. She was in delirium state and apnea without any evidence of infection. Immediately, she was administered a single dose of Naloxone (2mg). Results: While blood oxygen saturation was improving, she aspirated her vomitus into the lungs and became hypotensive and pulseless. Her condition deteriorated and the treatment team’s efforts to resuscitate her failed. On her autopsy, there were no other abnormal findings, but codeine and morphine were detected in the autopsied tissue sample. Conclusion: The plausible contributing factors may include: change in morphine pharmacokinetics in the burned skin; the low toxic dose of opium in children due to thin abdominal skin, and high blood perfusion in the burned areas.