Cerium-oxide-loaded poly(ɛ-caprolactone) hydrogel wound dressing for cutaneous wound healing and antimicrobial treatment in burn wound infection: Development and detailed biological evaluation

Wound dressing materials are essential in wound healing care management. In addition to their supportive effect on the care management, polysaccharides and metal oxide nanoparticles actively contribute to the healing process. CeO2 nanoparticles can promote wound healing through oxidative damage in the wound environment against elevated levels of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, it is necessary to develop multi-functional hydrogel wound dressing materials to stimulate wound healing. In this study, a CeO2-loaded poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/PEC polymeric hydrogel was fabricated as a cutaneous wound-healing material. The in-vitro cytotoxic and wound healing activities were analyzed using the fabricated material in mice. A histological examination showed that the nanofibrous material accelerated the reepithelialization and provided an excellent collagen deposition. In addition, the prepared hydrogels were tested against S. aureus and E. coli. Our results evidence the unique characteristics of the hydrogel wound dressing material exhibiting antibacterial and antioxidant activities and good biocompatibility and healing efficiencies by enhancing the reepithelialization and granulation formation and effectively accelerating the wound healing to prevent skin infections.

RNAseq analysis of treatment-dependent signaling changes during inflammation in a mouse cutaneous wound healing model

Background Despite proven therapeutic effects in inflammatory conditions, the specific mechanisms of phytochemical therapies are not well understood. The transcriptome effects of Traumeel (Tr14), a multicomponent natural product, and diclofenac, a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, were compared in a mouse cutaneous wound healing model to identify both known and novel pathways for the anti-inflammatory effect of plant-derived natural products. Methods Skin samples from abraded mice were analyzed by single-molecule, amplification-free RNAseq transcript profiling at 7 points between 12 and 192 h after injury. Immediately after injury, the wounds were treated with either diclofenac, Tr14, or placebo control (n = 7 per group/time). RNAseq levels were compared between treatment and control at each time point using a systems biology approach. Results At early time points (12–36 h), both control and Tr14-treated wounds showed marked increase in the inducible COX2 enzyme mRNA, while diclofenac-treated wounds did not. Tr14, in contrast, modulated lipoxygenase transcripts, especially ALOX12/15, and phospholipases involved in arachidonate metabolism. Notably, Tr14 modulated a group of cell-type specific markers, including the T cell receptor, that could be explained by an overarching effect on the type of cells that were recruited into the wound tissue. Conclusions Tr14 and diclofenac had very different effects on the COX/LOX synthetic pathway after cutaneous wounding. Tr14 allowed normal autoinduction of COX2 mRNA, but suppressed mRNA levels for key enzymes in the leukotriene synthetic pathway. Tr14 appeared to have a broad ‘phytocellular’ effect on the wound transcriptome by altering the balance of cell types present in the wound.

INTRODUCING EXHALED HUMAN BREATH WATER VAPOR AS PROPOSED MECHANISM INFLUENCING SUPERFICIAL CUTANEOUS WOUND HEALING

The concept that moist wounds heal faster than dry wounds was introduced in 1962. Most recently, in 1990 the concept was revisited with the introduction of a highly permeable wound dressing exposed to water vapors. The latter allows for water as a humidifying agent. Ideally, acceleration of superficial wound healing had been accomplished by the introduction of a highly water vapor permeable wound dressing. The breathable property allows for water vapor to interact with already present fibrin(ogen) material in blood clots. This manuscript adds a mechanism for the ultimate undisturbed success in cutaneous wound healing, being the dependency on a continuos supply of water vapor. In vitro experiments are introduced showing the cessation of exhaled human breath vapor onto a dry human blood smear as the end point of said interaction. Additionally the experiments were reproduced by exposing the blood smears to steam (water vapor) generated by machinery. In conclusion, exhaled human breath water vapor blown onto a blood clot has the same effect as water vapor emitted by machinery boiling water. Both causing a disappearance of the clot organized fibrin strands into a semisolid gelatinous state. Additionally, discontinuation of the water vapor infusion is also documented triggering a return of organized fibrin strands, albeit of greater intensity.