Case series of topical and orally administered β-glucan for the treatment of diabetic wounds: clinical study.
BACKGROUND
Chronic, nonhealing wounds, foot ulcers, and lower extremity amputations are among the most problematic complications associated with diabetes mellitus. Standard care for diabetes-related chronic ulcers has included treatment of infection, weight off-loading, aggressive surgical débridement, and maintenance of a moist wound environment with frequent dressing changes.


OBJECTIVE
Yeast glucan is a particular high-molecular-weight polymer of β-(1,3)-glycosidic linkages of glycopyranose. We report our observations about the effectiveness of topically and orally administrated β-(1,3)-glucan for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds and compare them to the literature results previously reported for similar wounds.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with nonhealing ulcers associated with diabetes were included in this study. β-Glucan was given both orally and topically for the treatment of nonhealing ulcers. Macroscopic changes and surface areas of diabetic ulcers were recorded, and complete healing times were noted for each patient.


RESULTS
A rapid decrease in size and healthy granulation were significantly observed in most patients. The duration of complete healing averaged 10.8 weeks (range 6-20 weeks). No adverse events were observed in the treatment period. The complete healing time was shorter than the results previously reported in the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations support the view that application of glucan hastens epithelialization and wound closure, so topically and orally administered β-(1,3)-glucan therapy can help reverse some of the deficits in impaired healing diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
Department of Platic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. drokaraaslan@yahoo.com
Onder
O
Karaaslan
Yuksel
Y
Kankaya
Nezih
N
Sungur
Ugur
U
Kocer
Suat
S
Sedat Cuzdan
Belma
B
Sahin
Afsin
A
Uysal
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D047071:beta-Glucans