Examination of endothelial cell‐induced epidermal regeneration in a mice‐based chimney wound model

As wound contraction in the cutaneous layer occurs rapidly in mice, mechanical means are typically used to deliberately expose the wound to properly investigate healing by secondary intention. Previously, silicon rings and splinting models were attempted to analyze histological recovery but prevention of surrounding epidermal cell migration and subsequent closure was minimal. Here, we developed an ideal chimney wound model to evaluate epidermal regeneration in murine under hESC‐EC transplantation through histological analysis encompassing the three phases of regeneration: migration, proliferation, and remodeling. Human embryonic stem cell derived endothelial cells (hESC‐EC) were transplanted due to possessing a well‐known therapeutic effect in angiogenesis which also enhances epidermal repair to depict the process of regeneration. Following a standard 1 mm biopsy punch, a chimney manufactured by modifying a 1.7 mL microtube was simply inserted into the excisional wound to complete the modeling process. Under this model, the excisional wound remained fully exposed for 14 days and even after 4 weeks, only a thin transparent layer of epidermal tissue covered the wound site. This approach is able to more accurately depict epidermal repair in relation to histology while also being a user‐friendly and cost‐effective way to mimic human recovery in rodents and evaluate epithelial repair induced by a form of therapy.     

Hyaluronic acid dressing (Healoderm) in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer: A prospective,randomized, placebo‐controlled,single‐center study

Fast and complete healing of a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is challenging due to the hostile wound healing environment of the diabetic patients. As a part of a multimodal treatment approach, advanced dressing material using hyaluronic acid (HA) has been found to be effective. However, previous studies have used HA with additional biologics, which interferes in determining the true clinical effect of HA in DFU. To examine the sole effectiveness of HA in DFU treatment, a prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled, single‐center study was conducted using an HA dressing without additional substances. Thus, 34 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into two groups (the study group: HA dressing material; the control group: conventional dressing material). During the 12‐week study period, complete ulcer healing rate was evaluated as a primary endpoint. Additionally, healing velocity and the mean duration for achieving a 50% ulcer size reduction was compared between the two groups as a secondary endpoint. At the end of the study, the study group presented a significantly higher complete healing rate as compared to that in the control group [84.6% (11/13), 41.6% (5/12), respectively, P = 0.041]. Additionally, faster ulcer healing velocity and shorter mean duration for achieving a 50% ulcer size reduction were observed in the study group (P = 0.022 and 0.004, respectively). The Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis for the median time for 50% ulcer healing rate also showed a significantly shorter duration in the study group (21 days vs. 39 days, P = 0.0127). Finally, there were no adverse events related to the dressing materials used in the study. As a major component of the extracellular matrix, this study supports the safety and efficacy of a pure HA dressing without additional substances in treating DFU.