Wound fluids and the pathogenesis of chronic wounds.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe two areas of ongoing investigation into analysis of wound fluids that may eventually lead to better understanding of pathophysiology of chronic wounds and to improved care and treatment.

METHODS:

Studies used Lowry protein assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, and zymography to analyze fluids from acute and chronic wounds and serum samples collected from healthy and affected volunteers.

SUBJECTS:

Thirty-one subjects with ages ranging from 32 to 79 years participated in the research; fluid was collected from chronic wounds in 10 patients (two female, four male, and four unrecorded), fluid was collected from acute mastectomy wounds in 15 patients (all female); blister fluid and blood were collected from two volunteers (one male, one female); and blood for serum preparation was collected from four volunteers (two female, two male).

PRIMARY OUTCOME VARIABLES:

(1) Fibronectin degradation and (2) expression of matrix metalloproteinases.

RESULTS:

Fibronectin can be degraded in fluid from chronic wounds but remains intact in blood-derived serum, plasma-derived serum, blister fluid, and mastectomy wound fluid. Matrix metalloproteinases are overexpressed in fluid from chronic wounds compared with mastectomy wound fluid, blood-derived serum, and plasma-derived serum. Matrix metalloproteinases are also expressed of somewhat higher levels in mastectomy fluid than in blood-derived and plasma-derived serum.

CONCLUSIONS:

These studies identified two factors that may contribute to delayed healing of chronic wound: fibronectin degradation and overexpression of matrix metalioproteinases.

• Authors: A B Wysocki
• Journal: Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs) Vol. 23 Issue 6 Pg. 283-90 (Nov 1996) ISSN: 1071-5754 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9043277 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Fibronectins
• Collagenases
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 3
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 9

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Aged
• Chronic Disease
• Collagenases (physiology)
• Exudates and Transudates (chemistry)
• Female
• Fibronectins (physiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 (physiology)
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
• Middle Aged
• Wound Healing
• Wounds and Injuries (enzymology, physiopathology)