title: Poly-N-acetyl glucosamine fibers are synergistic with vacuum-assisted closure in augmenting the healing response of diabetic mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) has become the preferred modality to treat many complex wounds but could be further improved by methods that minimize bleeding and facilitate wound epithelialization. Short fiber poly-N-acetyl glucosamine nanofibers (sNAG) are effective hemostatic agents that activate platelets and facilitate wound epithelialization. We hypothesized that sNAG used in combination with the VAC device could be synergistic in promoting wound healing while minimizing the risk of bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  Membranes consisting entirely of sNAG nanofibers were applied immediately to dorsal excisional wounds of db/db mice followed by application of the VAC device. Wound healing kinetics, angiogenesis, and wound-related growth factor expression were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The application of sNAG membranes to wounds 24 hours before application of the VAC device was associated with a significant activation of wounds (expression of PDGF, TGFβ, EGF), superior granulation tissue formation rich in Collagen I as well as superior wound epithelialization (8.6% ± 0.3% vs. 1.8% ± 1.1% of initial wound size) and wound contraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of sNAG fiber-containing membranes before the application of the polyurethane foam interface of VAC devices leads to superior healing in db/db mice and represents a promising wound healing adjunct that can also reduce the risk of bleeding complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospitals of Basel and Lausanne, Switzerland. erbapaolo@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Erba
authors.forename: Avner
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adini
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demcheva
authors.forename: C Robert
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Valeri
authors.forename: Dennis P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Orgill
mesh_terms: D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D057139:Nanofibers; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: C113831:poly-N-acetyl glucosamine; D000117:Acetylglucosamine