Improvement in wound healing by a novel synthetic collagen-gel dressing in genetically diabetic mice

Abstract

Our study aimed to develop an intelligent wound dressing containing elements that promote wound healing. Unlike conventional dressings, this is a gel-type dressing that contains basic factors required by cells in a complex of alkaline-treated collagen and atelocollagen. Full-thickness 8-mm skin defects were made with a DermaPunch^® in the left and right sides of the back of 8-week-old genetically diabetic mice (db/db). Collagen gel was applied to the fascia on the right side, while the left (control) side was left untreated. Both wounds was coated and fixed with Tegaderm^®. On days 3, 7 and 14, macroscopic appearance and percent decrease in wound area were assessed histopathologically. On the collagen-gel side, granulation tissue had formed, with wound contraction caused by migration of epidermal cells from the surrounding tissue. By day 14, wound area had decreased to 37% for the untreated side as compared to 22% on the collagen-gel side, indicating that collagen gel was associated with significantly greater wound contraction. Moreover, there were a lot of blood vessels on the collagen-gel side. Collagen-gel dressing is most effective for dry, open wounds, i.e., those with minimal effusion, and it may also be effective for depressed open wounds. Collagen-gel dressing is expected to be very useful in treating wounds such as skin defects and skin ulcers.