A Novel Biofilm Disruptive Agent Influences the Wound Healing Process

Background: Chronic wounds, which include pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers, affect approximately 6.5 million persons with a high annual cost for treatment. We recently showed that a wound gel containing a Biofilm Disruptive Agent (BDA), inhibits bacterial infection of chronic wounds. This BDA may also promote wound healing by influencing the host immune response.

Purpose: Using the murine model of wounds, we examined the influence of the BDA on wound healing.

Methods: Full-thickness wounds were generated and covered with sterile gauze (untreated wound, UTW), gauze coated with polyethylene glycol base (PEG-treated wound, PTW), or gauze coated with BDA gel (BDA-treated wound, BDATW).  The wound bed and margins were excised at 1, 3, and 7 days post-wounding. Formalin-fixed tissues were processed and sectioned at 5.0 μm.  The sections were stained with H&E for general histological observations.

Results: On day 1 post-injury, a neutrophilic infiltrate (PMNs) was present throughout the wound beds in all three treatment groups with a larger number of PMNs observed in the PTW and BDATW. By day 3, reepithelialization had begun at the margins of all three treatment groups. The UTW had a thin sanguineous crust with few PMNs visible except directly under the crust. Both the PTW and BDATW had much thicker sanguineous crusts with many more PMNs present under the crusts and at the wound margins; neovascularization was present in the wound beds. On day 7, reepithelialization had advanced in all three wounds and granulation tissue was present. Neovascularization was now present in the UTW, while healed tissue in the PTW and BDATW showed regeneration of hair follicles. A mononuclear infiltrate was move evident in the BDATW along with evidence of scar formation (fibrosis).

Conclusions: These results suggest that keeping the wound moist (PTW and BDATW*) appears to accelerate healing while the treatment with NS furthered the healing process.