Effect of Traumacel P on the growth of human dermal fibroblasts in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
It has been postulated that Traumacel P, a haemostatic powder, might assist the wound-healing process. This in vitro study investigated the effect of the powder on human dermal fibroblasts.


METHODS
Experiments using fibroblasts from a 50-year-old donor were carried out using suspensions of Traumacel P ranging from 0.1 to 10.0 mg/ml. Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium with 10% or 0.4% foetal calf serum (FCS) and 5.5 mM or 25 mM glucose was used. The powder was either placed in contact with the cells or separated from them by a porous membrane. The response of the fibroblasts was assessed using the MTT assay.


RESULTS
Concentrations of 0.5 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml stimulated the metabolic activity of the fibroblasts in both high and low glucose medium with 10% FCS, regardless of whether the powder was in contact with or separated from the cells. The greatest stimulation, to 174% of the controls, was produced by 0.5 mg/ml Traumacel P in low glucose/10% FCS with the powder in contact with the cells (p < 0.0001). Traumacel concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/ml in 0.4% FCS significantly stimulated the metabolic activity of fibroblasts in low glucose medium, but not in the high glucose medium.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies indicate that direct stimulation of fibroblast proliferation may be one of the ways in which Traumacel P aids the healing of ulcers observed in the clinic.
Hughes
M A
MA
Wound Healing Institute, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK. longeni@aol.com
Yang
Y
Y
Cherry
George W
GW
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014574:Uronic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D006490:Hemostatics; D014574:Uronic Acids; C018402:traumacel