Components in Cryopreserved Viable Amnion Support the Shift of Chronic to Acute Inflammation in Elderly Patients with Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds

Background: Chronic non-healing wounds are becoming more and more prevalent in the United States, affecting more than 6.5 million individuals annually. There are four main categories for chronic wounds: comprised of pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, and arterial insufficiency ulcers. Most patients who suffer from these kind of wounds are aged and affected by co-morbidities such as diabetes and obesity. Viable human amnion allograft (vHAMA) treatment has facilitated wound closure in elderly patients with chronic non-healing wounds.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to take a deeper look into how the various stages of wound healing are affected by the presence of the inherent biological properties found within vHAMA.

Methods: Biopsy samples were collected from elderly patients at baseline (T=0) and time-points post application of vHAMA, and histological testing was performed.

Results: The histology revealed a transition from a chronic to acute setting over time. The presence of inflammatory cells, such as lymphocytes (indicative of chronic inflammation) shifted to neutrophils (present in acute inflammation), and an increase in blood vessel formation, leading to angiogenesis. Furthermore, there was an upregulation in granulation and remodeling activities.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the aseptic proprietary process used for vHAMA ensures that the inherent biological properties of the tissue such as cytokines and growth factors are maintained, and these components have been shown to assist in shifting a chronic wound environment into an acute one, and facilitate natural wound closure.