Antioxidant status in delayed healing type of wounds

Abstract

This investigation studied the contribution of antioxidants in delaying healing in excision cutaneous wounds (8 mm) in diabetic, aged and immunocompromised animals. Skin levels of catalase, glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA) and vitamin E in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat were lower as compared to nondiabetics. The 7-d wound tissue of diabetic rats showed an increased vitamin E level along with depleted GSH content. In aged rats (18 months old), higher levels of skin superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lower levels of catalase and GSH were found as compared to their values in young rats (3-4 months old). The levels of SOD, GPx, catalase, AA, GSH and vitamin E in 7-d wound tissue of aged rats were significantly lower in comparison to those in young rats. However, TBARS were elevated in these wound tissues. The non-wounded skin of immunocompromised (athymic) mice showed lower levels of SOD, catalase, and TBARS and higher GSH and GPx levels in comparison to those present in normal mouse skin. Surprisingly, the analysis of 7-d wound tissue showed higher levels of SOD, catalase, GPx, and GSH and lower TBARS level in athymic mice compared to the wound tissue of normal mice. Thus low levels of antioxidants accompanied by raised levels of markers of free radical damage play a significant role in delaying wound healing in aged rats. In diabetic rats reduced glutathione levels may have a contributory role in delaying the healing process. However, in immunocompromised mice the antioxidant status following injury showed an adapted response.

A new method of wound treatment: targeted therapy of skin wounds with reactive oxygen species-responsive nanoparticles containing SDF-1α

“…Studies have shown that ROS levels in wound tissues are significantly higher than normal tissues. 25 Here, we also observed that during wound healing, ROS was maintained at a high level for a long time.…”

Role of antioxidants in the treatment of burn lesions

“…41 The magnitude of the generation of free radicals and their disposal mechanisms are known to be altered in burn patients, and some kind of correlation exists between altered free radical cascades and delayed wound healing. 20 In addition, Rasik and Shukla 42 showed that low levels of antioxidants accompanied by raised levels of markers of free radical damage played a significant role in delaying wound healing and that ROS produced in response to cutaneous injury impeded the healing process by causing damage to cellular membranes, DNA, proteins, and lipids; it was also shown that antioxidants promoted wound healing. 43 It was additionally reported that the administration of antioxidants enhanced the repair and healing process in cutaneous tissue; silymarin, the well-known antioxidant, was shown to be a useful agent for improving skin tissue regeneration and cutaneous healing.…”

Roles of Antioxidative Enzymes in Wound Healing

“…Diabetes, aging, immunodeficiency, and malnutrition are typical causes for delayed wound healing. Under these pathological conditions, redox imbalance occurs, and elevated oxidative injury is observed [23].…”