MMP-2 assessment as an indicator of wound healing: A feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the feasibility of assessment of fibroblast matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression as an indicator of wound healing in wounds that change from chronically inert to actively healing.


METHODS
Phase II feasibility study of 4 patients with nonhealing wounds (duration, > or = 3 months; surface area, > or = 1 cm). Wounds were treated with a dressing impregated with oak bark extract (DerMax) and evaluated weekly; biopsies were performed every 2 weeks until wound healing.


RESULTS
Therapy-induced wound healing and immunohistochemical measurements of MMP-2 expression paralleled the clinical characteristics of wound healing.


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-2 expression offers a reliable indicator for clinical wound healing induced by DerMax treatment.
Karim
Refaat B
RB
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Brito
Beatriz L R
BL
Dutrieux
Richard P
RP
Lassance
Fernanda P
FP
Hage
J Joris
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D012413:Rubidium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014945:Wound Healing; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
D015415:Biomarkers; C523779:PHI-5 formulation; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D015032:Zinc; D012413:Rubidium