Comparison of experimental wound healing in quail using two types of commercial hemostatic dressings

The use of powdered hemostatic products and propolis-based preparations has become increasingly common to control bleeding and aid healing. This study evaluated two hemostatic dressings, one based on propolis (Alveolex®) and the other on ferric subsulfate powder (Quick Blood Stopper®), on experimental wound in quails. The experiment was conducted with 36 quails assigned to three groups: control, propolis-based hemostatic dressing and ferric subsulfate-based hemostatic dressing, on two types of wounds, superficial (skin and subcutaneous) and deep (skin, subcutaneous and muscle). Pre- (day-7) and post-procedure (days 2 and 10) examinations showed a tendency to reduce hematocrit values on day 2 and a tendency to increase fibrinogen levels and total leukocyte count on the same day. Visual assessment of wound healing indicated that birds using Quick Blood Stopper® showed signs of poor healing, while the group treated with Alveolex® had uncomplicated healing within the expected time. The groups treated with hemostatic based on ferric subsulfate showed a tendency to increase the values of fecal corticosterone metabolites on day 10, suggesting an increased level of stress in these animals. During the surgical procedure, both hemostatic products controlled bleeding, but Alveolex®was more efficient and easy to handle.

Antimicrobial and Hemostatic Activities of Cotton-Based Dressings Designed to Address Prolonged Field Care Applications

ABSTRACT Introduction Developing affordable and effective hemostatic and antimicrobial wound dressings for prolonged field care (PFC) of open wounds is of interest to prevent infection, to prevent sepsis, and to conserve tissue viability. The need for an effective hemostatic dressing that is also antimicrobial is required of a hemostatic dressing that can be left in place for extended periods (days). This is particularly important in light of the existence of pathogens that have coagulopathy properties. Thus, dressings that provide effective hemostasis and reduction in the frequency of dressing changes, whereas exerting robust antimicrobial activity are of interest for PFC. Highly cleaned and sterile unbleached cotton has constituents not found in bleached cotton that are beneficial to the hemostatic and inflammatory stages of wound healing. Here, we demonstrate two approaches to cotton-based antimicrobial dressings that utilize the unique components of the cotton fiber with simple modification to confer a high degree of hemostatic and antimicrobial efficacy. Methods Spun bond nonwoven unbleached cotton was treated using traditional pad dry cure methods to add ascorbic acid, zeolite (NaY) with pectin, calcium chloride, and sodium carbonate/calcium chloride. Similarly, nanosilver-embedded cotton fiber was blended with pristine cotton fibers at various weight ratios to produce hydroentangled nonwoven fabrics. The resulting treated fabrics were assessed for hemostasis using thromboelastographic clotting assays and antimicrobial activity utilizing American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists 100. Results Zeolite-containing dressings possessed significant hemostatic activity, whereas ascorbic acid- and silver-containing dressings reduced Gram-positive and Gram-negative organism numbers by several logs. Conclusion Based on this study, a multilayered hemostatic dressing with antimicrobial properties is envisioned. This dressing would be safe, would be economical, and have a stable shelf-life that would be conducive for using PFC.

Development of a Nonwoven Hemostatic Dressing Based on Unbleached Cotton: A De Novo Design Approach

Minimally processed greige (unbleached) cotton fibers demonstrate enhanced clotting relative to highly processed United States Pharmacopeia (USP) type 7 bleached cotton gauze. This effect is thought to be due to the material surface polarity. We hypothesized that a textile could be constructed, conserving the hemostasis-accelerating properties of greige cotton, while maintaining structural integrity and improving absorbance. Spun bond nonwovens of varying surface polarity were designed and prepared based on ratios of greige cotton/bleached cotton/polypropylene fibers. A thromboelastographic analysis was performed on fibrous samples in citrated blood to evaluate the rate of fibrin and clot formation. Lee White clotting times were obtained to assess the material’s clotting activity in platelet fresh blood. An electrokinetic analysis of samples was performed to analyze for material surface polarity. Hemostatic properties varied with composition ratios, fiber density, and fabric fenestration. The determinations of the surface polarity of cotton fabrics with electrokinetic analysis uncovered a range of surface polarities implicated in fabric-initiated clotting; a three-point design approach was employed with the combined use of thromboelastography, thrombin velocity index, Lee White clotting, and absorption capacity determinations applied to fabric structure versus function analysis. The resulting analysis demonstrates that greige cotton may be utilized, along with hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers, to improve the initiation of fibrin formation and a decrease in clotting time in hemostatic dressings suitable to be commercially developed. Hydroentanglement is an efficient and effective process for imparting structural integrity to cotton-based textiles, while conserving hemostatic function.

Biological Effects of Chitosan-Based Dressing on Hemostasis Mechanism

: There have been numerous recent advances in wound care management. Nevertheless, the assessment of hemostatic dressing is essential to enable surgeons and other physicians and healthcare professionals to make the correct decisions regarding the disposition of severe hemorrhage. Here, we investigated the relative efficacies of chitosan-based and conventional gauze dressings in a rat model of femoral artery hemorrhage and in patients with surgical wounds. Dressing effectiveness was evaluated based on hemostatic profiles, biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, and blood factor responses in coagulation. Relative to standard gauze dressing, the chitosan fiber (CF) dressing treatment significantly shortened the time to hemostasis in injured rats. Moreover, the CF dressing significantly prolonged partial thromboplastin time, enhanced blood absorption, and reduced antithrombin production without altering the prothrombin ratio. Unlike regular gauze bandages, the CF dressing demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity. The results of this study indicate the effectiveness of chitosan as a hemostatic dressing and elucidate its underlying mechanism. It is possible that chitosan surgical dressings could serve as first-line intervention in hospital emergency care for uncontrolled hemorrhage.

Metal Ion-Chelated Tannic Acid Coating for Hemostatic Dressing

Tannic acid (TA), a high-molecular-weight polyphenol, is used as a hemostasis spray and unguent for trauma wound remedy in traditional medical treatment. However, the use of tannic acid on a large-area wound would lead to absorption poisoning. In this work, a TA coating was assembled on a quartz/silicon slide, or medical gauze, via chelation interaction between TA and Fe3+ ions and for further use as a hemostasis dressing. Protein adsorption on the TA coating was further investigated by fluorescence signal, ellipsometry analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The adsorbed bovine serum albumin (BSA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and fibrinogen (Fgn) on the TA coating was in the manner of monolayer saturation adsorption, and fibrinogen showed the largest adsorption. Furthermore, we found the slight hemolysis of the TA coating caused by the lysed red blood cells and adsorption of protein, especially the clotting-related fibrinogen, resulted in excellent hemostasis performance of the TA coating in the blood clotting of an animal wound. Thus, this economic, environmentally friendly, flexible TA coating has potential in medical applications as a means of preparing novel hemostasis materials.