The topical application of recombinant growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-BB homodimer (rPDGF-BB), keratinocyte growth factor (rKGF), and neu differentiation factor has resulted in significant acceleration of healing in several animal models of wound repair. In this study, we established highly reproducible and quantifiable full and deep partial thick...

Reports conflict regarding the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on intestinal epithelium. In chronic injury, NO appears detrimental by combining with reactive oxygen to form potent-free radicals. In contrast, inhibition of NO synthesis after acute injury exacerbates damage and inflammation. Recent studies have disclosed constitutive expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) by normal intestinal epi...

Cutaneous wound repair regenerates skin integrity, but a chronic failure to heal results in compromised tissue function and increased morbidity. To address this, we have used an integrated approach, using nanobiotechnology to augment the rate of wound reepithelialization by combining self-assembling peptide (SAP) nanofiber scaffold and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). This SAP bioscaffold was tes...

BACKGROUND Silicon hydrogel bandage contact lenses are used to enhance epithelial healing, control surface-generated pain, and prevent epithelial erosions after refractive surgery. Considering the importance of faster reepithelialization in preventing complications of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and the fact that the features and specifications of these commercially-available lenses are d...

The gap junction protein, connexin43 (Cx43), has critical roles in the inflammatory, edematous, and fibrotic processes following dermal injury and during wound healing, and is abnormally upregulated at the epidermal wound margins of venous leg ulcers (VLUs). Targeting Cx43 with ACT1, a peptide mimetic of the carboxyl-terminus of Cx43, accelerates fibroblast migration and proliferation, and woun...

PURPOSE Development of an improved animal model for studying skin burns in rats. METHODS Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=6): G1-Control, G2- T100°C, G3-T150°C and G4-T200°C. Two 10 x 10 mm squares were outlined with a sterile surgical marker on each side and along the vertebral column using a prepared template positioned between the anterior and posterior...

PURPOSE The present study was conducted to investigate healing of alkali-burned corneas in MRL/MpJ (MRL) mice. METHODS Gross, clinical, and histologic criteria were used to compare healing of alkali-burned corneas in MRL and control C57BL/6J (B6) mice. Effects of neutrophil depletion of B6 mice and allogeneic reconstitution of B6 mice with MRL bone marrow on wound healing were evaluated. Gene...

To test the hypothesis that keratinocyte (KC) migration is modulated by distinct muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor subtypes, we inactivated signaling through specific receptors in in vitro and in vivo models of reepithelialization by subtype-selective antagonists, small interfering RNA, and gene knockout in mice. KC migration and wound reepithelialization were facilitated by M4 and inhibi...

PURPOSE To evaluate wound healing in rats by using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) associated with hydrocolloid occlusive dressing. METHODS Forty male, adult, Wistar rats were used, distributed into four groups: LG (received 2 J/cm² of laser therapy); HG (treated with hydrocolloid); LHG (treated with 2 J/cm² of laser therapy and hydrocolloid); and the CG (treated with 1 mL of 0.9% saline). The...