Stimulation of Healing of Non-Infected Stagnated Diabetic Wounds by Copper Oxide-Impregnated Wound Dressings

Abstract

Background and Objective: Copper, a wide spectrum biocide, also plays a key role in angiogenesis and wound healing. Antibacterial wound dressings impregnated with copper oxide microparticles (COD) have been recently cleared by the U.S. FDA and other regulatory bodies for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds, including diabetic wounds. Our objective was to evaluate the capacity of COD in stimulating the healing of non-infected stagnated wounds in diabetic patients initially treated with standard of care (SOC) dressings. Materials and Methods: The trial was divided into the three following phases: 1–2 weeks of screening, during which the patients were treated with SOC dressings; 4 weeks of treatment, during which the COD was applied twice weekly; and 2 weeks of follow-up, during which the patients were again treated with SOC dressings. The wound conditions and sizes were assessed by clinical evaluation and a wound imaging artificial intelligence system. Results: Following 1 month of COD treatment, there was a clear reduction in the mean wound area (53.2%; p = 0.003), an increase in granulation tissue (43.37; p < 0.001), and a reduction in fibrins (47.8%; p = 0.002). In patients with non-weight-bearing wounds, the reduction in wound size was even more dramatic (66.9%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study, showing a statistically significant influence of COD on wound healing of hard-to-heal wounds in diabetic patients, strongly supports the notion that copper oxide-impregnated dressings enhance wound healing directly. Further larger controlled studies should be conducted to substantiate our findings.

Enhanced healing of wounds that responded poorly to silver dressing by copper wound dressings: Prospective single arm treatment study

“…Meaningfully, the capacity of copper dressings to stimulate wound healing of noninfected stagnated wounds in diabetic patients was also demonstrated. 22 Several clinical case reports that T A B L E 2 Inclusion/exclusion criteria.…”

“…This was further substantiated by Das et al, 30 who demonstrated in wild mice that exogenous and endogenous Cu promote wound healing through the endothelial antioxidant‐1 (Atox 1) cytosolic Cu chaperone. Meaningfully, the capacity of copper dressings to stimulate wound healing of noninfected stagnated wounds in diabetic patients was also demonstrated 22 . Several clinical case reports that demonstrated enhanced wound healing of hard‐to‐heal wounds by copper dressings in patients suffering from other etiologies were also reported 20,21,31 .…”

Wide Spectrum Potent Antimicrobial Efficacy of Wound Dressings Impregnated with Cuprous Oxide Microparticles

“…Wound dressings impregnated with cuprous oxide microparticles have been cleared by the USA FDA (510(k) K180643), EU and other regulatory bodies worldwide to be used in the management of acute and chronic wounds, after their biocompatibility, safety, and efficacy were demonstrated. These wound dressings have already been in clinical use for more than 2 years in several geographies, enhancing wound healing of both infected and non-infected wounds, including chronic wounds [15][16][17].…”

“…The development, safety, and biocidal properties of prototype antimicrobial wound dressings containing copper oxide microparticles were previously described [14]. In the current article, we describe the in vitro biocidal activity of significantly improved wound dressings impregnated with cuprous oxide microparticles that have been cleared for use by several regulatory bodies and started recently to be in use for the management of acute and chronic wounds [15][16][17].…”

An Up-to-Date Review of Biomaterials Application in Wound Management

“…Another approach to designing advanced textile dressings involves the addition of micro and nanoparticles. As an example, Melamed et al [ 106 ] have investigated copper oxide microparticle (COD)-impregnated wound dressings for the treatment of wounds in diabetic patients. The authors reported that COD significantly influenced the healing of hard-to-deal diabetic wounds, providing antibacterial effects, and directly enhancing the process.…”