Bromelain ameliorates the wound microenvironment and improves the healing of firearm wounds.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In a previous study, we proposed a new therapy using topical bromelain as a supplement to simple wound-track incision for the debridement of firearm wounds. This enzymatic debridement greatly simplified the management of high-velocity gunshot wounds in a pig model, and bromelain was confirmed to improve wound healing. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of bromelain on the microenvironment of firearm wounds.

METHODS:

Sixteen Chinese landrace pigs wounded by high-velocity projectiles were divided randomly into four groups: wound incision (group I), incision + bromelain (group IB), wound excision (group E), and control. Blood perfusion, oxygen partial pressure (pO(2)), and the content of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in wound-track tissue were measured. Wound healing was also noted.

RESULTS:

The recovery of blood perfusion in tissue and pO(2) in wound tracks was significantly more rapid in group IB and group E than in group I and control. The tissue level of TNF-α was significantly lower in group IB than in group I and control 48 h and 72 h post-wounding, and was lower than in group E 48 h post-wounding. The tissue level of TGF-β in group IB was sustained at a significantly higher level than in the other three groups. Wound healing time was also shorter in group IB.

CONCLUSIONS:

Enzymatic debridement using topical bromelain in incised wound tracks accelerates the recovery of blood perfusion, pO(2) in wound tissue, controls the expression of TNF-α and raises the expression of TGF-β.

• Authors: Si-Yu Wu, Wei Hu, Bo Zhang, Shuai Liu, Jian-Min Wang, Ai-Min Wang
• Journal: The Journal of surgical research (J Surg Res) Vol. 176 Issue 2 Pg. 503-9 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1095-8673 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22341346 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local
• Plant Extracts
• Transforming Growth Factor beta
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Bromelains
• Iodine
• Oxygen

Topics

• Ananas (chemistry)
• Animals
• Anti-Infective Agents, Local (pharmacology)
• Bromelains (pharmacology)
• Debridement (methods)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Hindlimb (blood supply, drug effects, injuries)
• Iodine (pharmacology)
• Male
• Microcirculation (drug effects)
• Oxygen (metabolism)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Regional Blood Flow (drug effects)
• Sus scrofa
• Transforming Growth Factor beta (metabolism)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)
• Wound Healing (drug effects)
• Wounds, Gunshot (drug therapy, physiopathology)