title: The role of oxygen-derived free radicals in the management of venous (varicose) ulceration: a new approach.
abstract: This double blind controlled study examined whether oxygen-derived free radicals interfere with the healing of venous ulceration occurring on the medial side of the leg for the first time. Graduated compression bandages exerting a mean ankle pressure of 42.1 +/- 0.3 mmHg and a mean pressure of 17.3 +/- 0.2 mmHg just below the knee healed 70% of ulcers within 12 weeks (n = 44). Addition of the radical scavengers allopurinol (n = 45) or dimethyl sulfoxide (n = 44) to the compression bandages (daily application of the powder for 7 days, then once weekly applications to the end of the study at 3 months) significantly (p less than 0.01) stimulated the healing of venous ulceration relative to controls when studied 4, 8, and 12 weeks after commencing treatment. After 3 months of treatment, allopurinol healed 93% and dimethyl sulfoxide healed 95% of the venous ulcers. The results suggest that oxygen-derived free radicals are directly implicated in the mechanism of venous ulceration and are responsible for its persistence. Scavenging such radicals stimulates the healing of ulceration.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Salim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D010100:Oxygen