title: Topical application of a film-forming emulgel dressing that controls the release of stratifin and acetylsalicylic acid and improves/prevents hypertrophic scarring.
abstract: Here, we evaluate the efficacy of an emulgel dressing to control the release of an antifibrogenic factor, stratifin (SFN), along with an anti-inflammatory drug, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), to be used as a wound dressing with hypertrophic scar reducing features. Emulgel dressings were prepared by dispersing positively charged submicron vesicles in carboxymethyl cellulose gel. Release kinetics of SFN/ASA and toxicity for primary skin cells were assessed in vitro. Antifibrogenic efficacy of medicated emulgel dressings was tested on a rabbit ear fibrotic model. Following topical application on the wounds, emulgels formed an occlusive film and controlled the release of SFN and ASA for 7 and 24 hours, respectively. Wounds treated with SFN/ASA-containing emulgel dressings showed an 80% reduction in scar elevation compared with untreated controls. Topical formulations were nontoxic for cultured human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Inflammation was significantly controlled in treated wounds, as shown by a reduced number of infiltrated CD3(+)  T cells (p < 0.001) and macrophages. SFN/ASA-treated wounds showed a significantly higher (p < 0.001) expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, resulting in reduced collagen deposition and less scarring. Film-forming emulgel dressings that control the release of antifibrogenic and anti-inflammatory factors provide an excellent treatment option for postburn hypertrophic scar management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rahmani-Neishaboor
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jallili
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartwell
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Aziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghahary
mesh_terms: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001458:Bandages; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005092:Exonucleases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005095:Exoribonucleases; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D005782:Gels / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005782:Gels; D005092:Exonucleases; D005095:Exoribonucleases; C413442:SFN protein, human; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; D001241:Aspirin