Effect of amelogenin ECM protein on the healing of chronic leg ulcers with atrophie blanche.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effect of topically applied amelogenin extracellular matrix protein(AEMP) in patients with non-healing venous leg ulcers combined with atrophie blanche.

METHOD:

This retrospective case series of patients with non-healing venous leg ulcers with atrophie blanche of the distal proportion of their lower legs, where non-healing was defined as no progress toward healing for 3 months previously, under standard therapy. Patient records were reviewed for associated diseases, wound diagnoses, distal blood pressure, previous treatments and changes in wound area. Patients were treated with AEMP once a week, for a period of 12 weeks, or until full healing.

RESULTS:

Eleven patient records were reviewed retrospectively. The median age of the patients was 81 years (range 40-95 years), with a mean wound size of 4.7 ± 3.Scm2 and median wound duration of 6 months (range 3-444 months).AII patients had venous or combined arterial/venous insufficiency. After 12 weeks' treatment with AEMP, complete healing, defined as I 00% re-epithelialisation, was documented in four patients (36%), marked improvement(> SO% epithelialisation) in three patients (54%, 55% and 83% wound closure, respectively), slight improvement in one patient (9.4% wound closure), no change for two patients and worsening in one.AEMP was well tolerated, and no patients reported side effects.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this retrospective study suggest that AEMP improves healing in chronic venous leg ulcers combined with atrophie blanche.

• Authors: K Fogh, C B Nielsen, W Dam
• Journal: Journal of wound care (J Wound Care) Vol. 21 Issue 12 Pg. 612-4 (Dec 2012) ISSN: 0969-0700 [Print] England
• PMID: 23299272 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Amelogenin
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Amelogenin (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Skin (pathology)
• Varicose Ulcer (complications, pathology, physiopathology)
• Venous Insufficiency (complications)