In chronic
wounds, factors are released which perpetuate inflammatory processes, including polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-derived
reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as
superoxide radical (O(2)*-) and
hydroxyl radical (*
OH) species. The
glycosaminoglycan,
hyaluronan, has established
antioxidant properties towards ROS, although the
antioxidant potential of
wound dressing
biomaterials, such as 75% benzyl esterified
hyaluronan (BEHA) and
carboxymethylcellulose (CMCH), are less characterised. This study compared the
antioxidant properties of high and low molecular weight
hyaluronan (HMWT HA and LMWT HA), BEHA and CMCH towards ROS, generated by stimulated PMN in vitro. The
antioxidant capacities of each
biomaterial were assessed by their inhibition of O(2)*- -induced
cytochrome C reduction, generated via PMN stimulation by
phorbol myristyl
acetate (PMA); and their inhibition of *
OH-induced 2-deoxy-D-ribose degradation, generated by PMA stimulated PMN in the presence of a
ferric chloride-
EDTA chelate. All
biomaterials, except LMWT HA, possessed dose-dependent
antioxidant properties against O(2)*-, BEHA having greatest
antioxidant potential, followed by HMWT HA and CMCH. HMWT HA exhibited the highest dose-dependent
antioxidant properties towards *
OH, followed by BEHA and CMCH. LMWT HA demonstrated no
antioxidant properties towards *
OH. These
antioxidant activities, particularly towards O(2)*-, may be beneficial in removing the initial source of ROS necessary for the secondary formation of *
OH, implicated as a causal factor for the extensive metabolic alterations observed in chronic
wounds.