title: Clinical efficacy of a new chitin nanofibrils-based gel in wound healing.
abstract: Recent progress in wound management is mainly in terms of physiological support for healing. Since infections delay healing and worsen scar formation, there is a desire to achieve closure as soon as possible. The main goals of wound care are prevention of infection, maintenance of a moist environment, protection of the wound and achievement of minimum scar formation. In this study were investigated in a clinical model the effects of a new chitin nanofibrils-based gel on the rate and quality of wound healing. Chitin has some unusual properties which accelerate the healing of wounds in humans. The main biochemical activities of chitin and chitosan-based materials are: polymorphonuclear cell activation, fibroblast activation, cytokine production, giant cell migration and stimulation of type IV collagen synthesis. The results of this clinical study confirm that chitin nanofibrils-based gel promotes rapid and physiological healing of different types of wounds. Moreover, it seems to prevent hypertrophic scarring and keloid scarring.
authors.affiliation: Gestione Servizi Medici e Chirurgici, Laser Centre Rome, Italy. pmezzana@yahoo.it
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mezzana
mesh_terms: D002686:Chitin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D002686:Chitin