David Cool, PhD; Terry Oroszi, MS, EdD; Erin Sheehan, BS; Richard Simman, MD, FACS, FACCWS; Rajab Suliman, PhD; Sara Younes, MD, MSc
Introduction: Background: Extracellular vesicles (EMVs) also known as microvesicles and exosomes, are a large family of membrane-bound vesicles that cells use for communications that promote wound healing. We hypothesize that there is a correlation between the concentration of EMVs and the percentage of wound healing in treated chronic wounds. A prospective, multi-center, randomized, single-blind clinical trial was conducted to assess EMVs concentration in relation to the percentage of wound healing.
Methods: Material &
Methods: Wound fluid samples were obtained from 16 patients with stage IV trunk pressure ulcers. Patients were divided equally into two groups: (1) control group on negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) alone (2) study group with NPWT plus porcine extracellular matrix dressing. NPWT was replaced two times a week, and porcine extracellular Matrix applied once weekly for all subjects. An NPWT canister device containing wound fluid was assembled from each patient every four weeks. EMVs were isolated and the concentration measured by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Results:
Results: The study group's healing percentage was around 89% after 12 weeks compared to the control group's percentage of about 52% (P ≤ 0.05). Using R programing software, a simple linear regression was conducted to examin the hypothesis. The data demonestrated a significant positive correlation (R-square = 0.70; P ≤ 0.05) between the wound fluid of EMVs concentrations and the healing percentage.
Discussion:
Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between EMV concentration in wound fluid and wound healing percentage. Results propose that wound fluid EMVs concentrations could serve as a biomarker for wound healing.
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