title: AMP-activated protein kinase activators in diabetic ulcers: from animal studies to Phase II drugs under investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnosed cases of diabetes have gradually increased year by year, and research on diabetes mellitus (DM) has attracted greater attention from the medical profession. Diabetic ulcers present persistent pain and the risk of bacterial infection. However, no promising treatment methods have been found. As a regulator of cellular energy balance, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been suggested as a drug target for DM, including such drugs as metformin.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarizes the current research and clinical trials of AMPK activators on diabetic wound healing and diabetic ulcers. Furthermore, it discusses the feasibility of AMPK activators in the treatment of diabetic wounds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Animal studies have demonstrated that AMPK activators are a potential treatment for diabetic ulcers. AMPK activators alleviate tissue inflammation and promote re-epithelialization in diabetic wounds. However, due to the complicated pathological mechanism of diabetic foot ulcers, AMPK activators should be combined with other approaches. The new strategies for combination therapy with AMPK activator may provide a therapeutic advantage for patients with diabetic ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Energenesis Biomedical Co., Ltd. , New Taipei City , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jiun-Tsai
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Han-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chih-Hsien
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Yao-Jen
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: AMP-activated protein kinase; diabetes mellitus; diabetic ulcer; metformin; wound healing