Keywords diabetes complications - pressure ulcer - streptozotocin - polyesters
Pressure ulcers are chronic wounds that occur in a localized area subjected to continuous
pressure and shearing force, typically involving the skin, subcutaneous fat, and muscle.
The degree and duration of pressure are the main determinants of pressure ulcer severity.
Thus, these ulcers occur mainly in bedridden patients in the intensive care unit and
patients with spinal cord injuries.[1 ] The incidence of pressure ulcers is also increasing as more patients are diagnosed
with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease, two conditions known to increase
the risk of pressure ulcers.[2 ] Pressure ulcers, in turn, seriously affect patients' quality of life and survival
rates and pose a major economic burden, as the costs of pressure ulcer treatment and
extended hospital stays are high.
Various strategies and protocols have been developed to prevent pressure ulcers.[3 ]
[4 ]
[5 ]
[6 ] Regardless of the specific method, the prevention of pressure ulcers is primarily
aimed at reducing the cause of the pressure.
Among the dressing materials developed to date, studies have shown that a five-layer
soft silicone bordered dressing is effective for pressure ulcer prevention.[7 ] However, using this type of dressing imposes a substantial cost burden, and it is
difficult to conclude that any wound dressing is effective for pressure ulcers.[8 ]
The authors developed a three-dimensional knitted fabric (3-DKF) with a pressure-reducing
function that could be applied topically in the early stages of pressure ulcers to
prevent progression. We further evaluated the effect of the 3-DKF in a streptozotocin
(STZ)-induced DM pressure ulcer mouse model and preliminarily applied the 3-DKF to
patients.
Methods
Animal Experiments
Male C57BL/6 mice (11 weeks of age) were allowed to acclimate for 1 week in an animal
room with a 12-hour light/dark cycle and ad libitum access to water and food. The
animal experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Experiments Ethics Committee
of our hospital (approval number: KM-2015–4R1) and complied with the Guide for the
Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of our hospital.
Induction of Diabetes in Mice by STZ
Twelve-week-old mice were fasted for 4 hours and injected intraperitoneally with STZ
(50 mg/kg body weight; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) dissolved in 100 mM sodium citrate
buffer (pH 4.5) for 5 days consecutively ([Fig. 1 ]). Blood glucose levels were monitored via the tail vein for 4 weeks. The mice were
considered to have diabetes when their blood glucose levels exceeded 250 mg/dL on
two consecutive measurements.
Fig. 1 Schematic diagrams of the experimental procedures. (A ) Induction of diabetes mellitus with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin,
(B ) induction of pressure ulcers with a pair of magnets, three-dimensional knitted fabric
(3-DKF) application, and (C ) ulcer wound analysis.
Development of the 3-DKF
The 3-DKF had a three-dimensional knitted structure. Threads were placed between the
upper and lower layers to connect them, thereby dispersing the pressure. These threads
formed the thickness of the cushion fabric and were knitted in various directions,
allowing the fabric to absorb pressure effectively. The connecting threads between
the layers were designed to form an air-permeating layer. Therefore, the fabric was
crafted to adapt its form to fit the curved areas of the body. In addition, the fabric
had a mesh, allowing air to pass through the material, and the threads were antimicrobial
to prevent infection. The yarn was made by spinning synthetic zeolite and the master
batch at a 10:90 ratio. This zeolite-based EVERVACC yarn contained 1% of an antibacterial
substance and showed 99.9% antibacterial effectiveness (KS K 0693: 2011) against Staphylococcus aureus and Pneumococcus . To impart bulkiness to the fibers of the woven fabric, we used draw-textured yarn
(DTY). Finally, polyester DTY 150 denier (d)/48 filament semi-dull was used. The fibers'
characteristics were as follows: fiber size, 118.76 days; cutting intensity, 2.03
gf/d; and fiber elasticity, 119.04%. With standardized measurements, the 3-DKF had
a moisture vapor transmission rate of 2,404 g/m2 /24 h, antibacterial activity of 99.9%, a wear time of over 24 hours, an absorption
time of 1 second, an absorption rate greater than 120%, and air permeability greater
than 1,977.6 cm3 /cm2 /s ([Fig. 2 ]).
Fig. 2 Fabric weaving method. The three-dimensional knitted fabric (3-DKF) is composed of
three areas, the upper and lower layers and an intermediate layer connecting them.
The intermediate layer of threads formed the thickness of the 3-DKF and effectively
absorbed pressure.
Pressure Ulcer Mouse Model of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Made Using a Magnet
The mice were anesthetized using Zoletil (30 mg/kg, tiletamine and zolazepam; Virbac,
Corros, France) and Rompun (10 mg/kg, xylazine; Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany), and the
hair on the dorsa was shaved. The dorsal skin was gently elevated and placed between
a pair of magnets (12 mm in diameter and 5 mm thick) which were applied for 5 hours
over two consecutive days and removed to induce an ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.[9 ] The IR cycles were performed twice for ulcer formation. The 3-DKF was applied between
the skin and magnet during the IR cycle for ulcer formation in the experimental group.
The 3-DKF used in the animal experiment was square-shaped, 6-mm thick, and slightly
larger than the 12 × 5 mm circular magnet ([Fig. 1 ]). After removal of the magnets, the mice were individually housed. All mice developed
two ulcers. The day when the magnets were removed was designated as day 0, and photographs
were made of the healing wounds on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Ulcer tissues were sampled
on days 3 and 7 under anesthesia using Zoletil and Rompun and used for Western blot
analyses and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining.
Ulcer Wound Analysis
Digital photographs were acquired on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Ulcer closure was defined
as the time when complete reepithelization of the wound was observed. The ulcer wound
area was quantified using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda,
MD; http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/download.html ).
Hematoxylin-Eosin and IHC Staining
After the mice were euthanized, skin samples were harvested, fixed in 10% formalin
solution, and embedded in paraffin. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and IHC staining were
performed using standard protocols with 5-μm-thick sections of the skin wounds. For
IHC staining, deparaffinized sections were incubated with the following antibodies:
mouse anti-α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA; 1:1,000; Sigma-Aldrich), rat anti-neutrophil
elastase (1:200; Abcam, Cambridge, UK), and mouse anti-proliferating cell nuclear
antigen (PCNA; 1:800, Abcam). The primary antibodies were detected using horseradish
peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated anti-mouse or anti-rat immunoglobulin G (IgG) (EnVision+
System; Dako, Glostrup, Denmark) and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine substrate as a chromogen,
yielding a brown precipitate at the reaction site.
Western Blotting
Protein from the skin tissues was homogenized in radioimmunoprecipitation assay lysis
buffer (50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 0.5% sodium
deoxycholate, 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 1% NP-40, pH 7.4) with a protease inhibitor
cocktail (GenDEPOT, Barker, TX), 10 mM NaF, and 1 mM Na3 VaO4 . Proteins from the skin lysates were loaded onto 10 or 12% polyacrylamide gels and
separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by
transfer to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes (GE Healthcare, Princeton, NJ). After
transfer, the membranes were blocked with 5% nonfat milk and then incubated with specific
primary antibodies, as follows: rabbit anti-transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 antibodies
(1:500; Abcam), rabbit anti-TGF-β3 antibodies (1:500; Abcam), rabbit anti-platelet-derived
growth factor (PDGF)-α antibodies (1:500; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Dallas, TX), mouse
anti-PCNA antibodies (1:1,000; Abcam), rabbit anti-vascular endothelial growth factor
(VEGF) antibodies (1:1,000; Abcam), goat anti-neutrophil elastase antibodies (1:500;
Santa Cruz Biotechnology), mouse anti-α-SMA antibodies (1:5,000; Sigma-Aldrich), and
mouse anti-β-actin antibodies (1:10,000; Sigma-Aldrich). The membranes were then stained
with HRP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG, goat anti-mouse IgG, and donkey anti-goat
IgG secondary antibodies (1:2,000 to 1:10,000; Santa Cruz Biotechnology) and detected
using ECL Prime Western blotting detection reagent (GE Healthcare).
Preliminary Clinical Application
A clinical study was conducted to determine whether the 3-DKF had a pressure-relieving
effect in patients with early pressure ulcers. The Institutional Review Board at our
hospital reviewed and approved this study (DSMC-2014–08–013). The patients included
in the study were those at risk of pressure ulcers. The Braden scale was used as evaluation
criteria and all patients were determined to be at risk of sacral pressure ulcers.[10 ] BodiTrak (Vista Medical, Winnipeg, Canada) was used for pressure mapping and measurements.
The pressure was measured before and after the application of the 3-DKF for a comparative
analysis. The 3-DKF attached to the sacral area was 8-mm thick and covered with Coolmax
fabric to minimize damage due to direct skin contact ([Fig. 3 ]).
Fig. 3 Three-dimensional knitted fabric (3-DKF) for clinical application at the sacrum.
The fabric was manufactured in an easy-to-use shape and textured with a pressure-absorbing
structure that minimized skin irritation. 3-DKF, three-dimensional knitted fabric.
Statistical Analysis
All animal experimental values are expressed as the mean and standard error of the
mean. The statistical analyses were performed using the unpaired Student's t -test. Differences with p -values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. All analyses
were performed using Prism 4.0 (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA). For the statistical
analysis of the preliminary clinical test, the Student's t -test (R stats package, version 3.6.3) was used.
Results
Effects of the 3-DKF on Pressure Ulcer Prevention in a Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic
Mouse Model
After removing the magnets, pressure ulcer-like wounds appeared on the skin of the
mice within 3 days, and the depth of the ulcers stabilized after 5 days. The wounds
in the 3-DKF group were smaller and shallower than those in the control group. There
were slight differences between the mice. However, the size of the ulcers in the control
group was similar to that of the magnet, and the ulcers reached the deep dermal layer
([Fig. 4A ]). When the size of the ulcers in the control group on day 1 was set to 100%, the
size of the ulcers in the 3-DKF group was only 25% ([Fig. 4B ]). Some mice in the 3-DKF group did not have any ulcers or had ulcers with a depth
equal only to the superficial dermis (i.e., shallower than that of the control group).
On day 7, no noticeable improvement was observed in either group, suggesting that
wound recovery may have been delayed due to diabetes.
Fig. 4 Differences in the size of the pressure ulcers. (A ) The wounds in the three-dimensional knitted fabric (3-DKF) group were smaller and
shallower than those in the control group. (B ) When the size of the ulcers in the control group on day 1 was set to 100%, the size
of the ulcers in the 3-DKF group was only 25%. The p -values were obtained using the unpaired Student's t -test. Statistically significant (*p < 0.0001, **p < 0.0002).
Analysis of Tissue Protection Effects by H&E Staining
Skin biopsies were performed on the pressure ulcer sites on days 3 and 7. In the 3-DKF
group, serum crust and partial epidermal necrosis were observed on day 3, and most
hair follicles were well preserved. However, the dermal layer had collapsed, the hair
follicles were destroyed, and red blood cell extravasation and necrosis were observed
in the entire epidermis in the control group ([Fig. 5 ]). On day 7, the skin appendage was maintained, and the normal skin structure was
also maintained overall in the 3-DKF group. In contrast, the control group still exhibited
hemorrhagic crust and ulcers, and the follicles were completely destroyed.
Fig. 5 Tissue protection effects shown by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. In the three-dimensional
knitted fabric (3-DKF) group, most of the dermal layer containing hair follicles was
well preserved. However, in the control group, the dermal layer and hair follicles
were destroyed on days 3 and 7. H&E, hematoxylin and eosin.
Analysis of Variation in Wound Healing-Related Components by Western Blotting
To examine the differences in various factors related to the wound healing of pressure
ulcers between the 3-DKF and control groups, the expression levels of cytokines and
growth factors were analyzed by Western blots on day 3 after ulcer formation ([Fig. 6 ]). The TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 expression levels were higher in the 3-DKF group than in
the control group. PDGF-α was upregulated in the control group compared with the 3-DKF
group. These data suggest that the ulcers were deeper and that the platelets were
more strongly affected by dermal hemorrhage. Notably, VEGF expression was not different
between the groups. Moreover, although PCNA and α-SMA were upregulated, and neutrophil
elastase was downregulated in the 3-DKF group compared with the control group, these
differences were not statistically significant.
Fig. 6 Variations in wound healing-related components by Western blotting. The expression
levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β3, PCNA, and α-SMA were higher in the 3-DKF group than in the
control group, although the expression of VEGF was not altered. PDGF-α and neutrophil
elastase expression levels were lower in the 3-DKF group, in which smaller ulcers
were observed, than in the control group. However, these differences were not statistically
significant. These experiments were repeated three times and reproducible results
were obtained. The error bars represent standard errors of the mean. 3-DKF, three-dimensional
knitted fabric; PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen; PDGF, platelet-derived growth
factor; SMA, smooth muscle actin; TGF, transforming growth factor; VEGF, vascular
endothelial growth factor.
IHC Staining of Wound Contraction, Inflammation, and Proliferation
The expression of α-SMA, neutrophil elastase, and PCNA are associated with wound contraction,
inflammation, and proliferation, which are related to the healing of pressure ulcers.
On day 7, IHC analysis revealed that α-SMA was evenly expressed throughout the upper
dermis of the specimens from the control group ([Fig. 7 ]). In contrast, in the 3-DKF group, staining was only observed in some areas around
the adnexa, including the hair follicles and vessels that normally express α-SMA.
It is thought that α-SMA was expressed in the overall ulcer area, since wound contraction
occurred on day 7 after ulcer formation in the control group. The neutrophil elastase
staining became stronger as inflammation increased in the control group. In contrast,
PCNA was more thoroughly and evenly stained in the 3-DKF group, in which the basal
layer was better preserved, because PCNA usually stains the basal cell layer of hair
follicles, where mitosis occurs.
Fig. 7 Immunohistochemical staining. On day 7, immunohistochemical staining for α-SMA, neutrophil
elastase, and PCNA, which are associated with wound contraction, inflammation, and
proliferation. α-SMA and PCNA expression in the three-dimensional knitted fabric (3-DKF)
group showed patterns similar to that in normal tissue. In contrast, the expression
of α-SMA and PCNA was even throughout the upper dermal layer of the control group.
More intense neutrophil elastase staining in the control group indicated increased
inflammation. PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen; SMA, smooth muscle actin.
Clinical Pressure Mapping Results
The 3-DKF was applied to all 14 patients. The average age of the patients was 66.4
years, their average body mass index was 23.6 kg/m2 , and their average score on the Braden scale was 17.6 points ([Table 1 ]). In the pressure mapping analysis, the average was 26.2 mm Hg before applying the
3-DKF, but it decreased to an average of 23.4 mm Hg after application ([Fig. 8 ]). Therefore, there was a pressure-decreasing effect of 2.80 mm Hg on average. This
difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Table 1
Summary of cases where the three-dimensional knitted fabric was applied
Case no.
Age
(y)
BMI
(kg/m2 )
Braden scale
Preapplication pressure
(mm Hg)
Postapplication
pressure
(mm Hg)
Pressure difference
(mm Hg)
p -Value
1
68
19.81
16
23.40
21.47
1.93
2
60
28.72
14
33.69
29.42
4.27
3
78
27.13
20
28.54
25.06
3.48
4
79
21.63
18
19.38
16.65
2.73
5
56
25.08
19
23.37
21.53
1.84
6
53
24.37
14
15.24
14.08
1.16
7
45
22.33
22
26.40
23.89
2.51
8
54
27.55
20
26.69
21.97
4.72
9
58
28.85
21
30.28
27.75
2.53
10
60
17.58
15
11.53
10.91
0.62
11
77
22.66
14
23.03
19.39
3.64
12
74
22.58
19
29.29
23.70
5.59
13
83
18.67
19
30.13
28.65
1.48
14
85
23.53
16
46.02
43.28
2.74
Average
66.43
23.61
17.64
26.21
23.41
2.80
< 0.001
Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index.
Fig. 8 Pressure mapping with BodiTrak. In the 12th patient, there was a clear difference
in the color and height of the contour lines before and after applying the three-dimensional
knitted fabric (3-DKF). The average pressure before the application was 29.29 mm Hg
(upper), (A ) but after application, it decreased to 23.70 mm Hg (lower) (B ).
Discussion
Pressure ulcers are chronic wounds requiring extended treatment. In bedridden patients,
if the pressure is not adequately reduced in stage 1 ulcers, the ulcers will develop
into stage 2 to 3 ulcers, resulting in extended hospitalization and increased medical
costs. Therefore, various strategies have been implemented for preventing pressure
ulcers, including alternating pressure mattresses, air suspension beds, nutritional
treatment, and repositioning.[11 ] In this study, we present an alternative approach using the 3-DKF to prevent pressure
ulcers and examined the effects of this 3-DKF on pressure reduction.
In normal mice, epithelization is completed in approximately 14 days. However, in
our diabetic mouse model, epithelialization required a total of 21 days (data not
shown), resulting in delayed wound healing similar to the clinical state of patients
with pressure ulcers. Owing to the specific weaving patterns of the layers in the
3-DKF, the 3-DKF appeared to absorb the pressure created by the magnet, thereby decreasing
the size and depth of the ulcers. Thus, the 3-DKF acted as a buffering material, creating
a thick cushion for shock absorption. Moreover, in addition to reducing the size and
depth of the pressure ulcers, the 3-DKF also maintained intact hair follicles and
epidermis, and the crust that formed on the wound was focal. In contrast, H&E and
IHC analyses showed that the ulcers in the control group were larger and exhibited
more severe inflammation.
TGF-β1 has been shown to have various effects on wound healing.[12 ] For example, TGF-β1 is upregulated in the early stages of wound healing, stimulating
neutrophil, endothelial cell, and fibroblast infiltration. Moreover, TGF-β1 induces
α-SMA expression, thereby stimulating wound contraction, and is important for the
formation of the extracellular matrix, including collagen.[12 ] However, if excessive inflammation is present, TGF-β1 functions as a negative regulator
of reepithelization, and wound healing is delayed.[12 ] Therefore, the upregulation of this factor is beneficial for wound healing during
the initial state of an injury. TGF-β3 stimulates the migration of epidermal keratinocytes
in injured skin and suppresses the migration of dermal fibroblasts and endothelial
cells.[13 ] Interestingly, in chronic wounds, TGF-β isoforms are downregulated owing to degranulation
by neutrophil elastase.[14 ] Accordingly, our results suggest that lesions in the 3-DKF group could undergo a
rapid wound healing process due to the upregulation of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3.[15 ] Additionally, TGF-β, which is normally expressed at relatively high levels, was
downregulated due to the increase in neutrophil elastase in the larger wounds in the
control group. This downregulation may have influenced the speed of wound healing.
PDGF, which is secreted from platelet α-granules during platelet aggregation in hemostasis,
recruits a variety of inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and
fibroblasts. Interestingly, increased ulcer size was associated with greater levels
of PDGF secretion, which could explain the results observed in the control group.
VEGF induces wound healing by stimulating angiogenesis through endothelial cell migration
and proliferation.[16 ] Reduced expression of VEGF would be expected to delay wound healing in cases of
chronic pressure ulcers. One study showed that the topical application of recombinant
human VEGF was effective for enhancing wound healing.[17 ] However, in our study, no differences in VEGF expression were observed according
to the size of the ulcers. This likely was because VEGF is produced by many cell types,
including macrophages, platelets, and keratinocytes,[14 ] and the 3-DKF group exhibited ample keratinocytes, whereas the control group exhibited
ample inflammatory cells, including macrophages and platelets.
PCNA is expressed in the S-phase of the cell cycle and plays an essential role in
the repair of damaged deoxyribonucleic acid.[18 ]
[19 ] Consistent with this, PCNA was highly expressed in the basal layer and hair follicles
in the 3-DKF group, with moderate expression in the tissues where proliferation typically
occurs. Additionally, α-SMA is normally expressed in the walls of blood vessels and
in the skin adnexa and stimulates wound healing by enhancing wound contraction by
myofibroblasts.[19 ]
[20 ] In this study, mice in the 3-DKF group exhibited small wounds with normal staining
patterns. However, diabetic wounds usually recover through granulation rather than
wound contraction, and staining over the entire ulcer region is thought to be associated
with the destruction of hair follicles.[19 ] Lastly, neutrophil elastase was expressed at higher levels in the control group
and appeared to be correlated with inflammation according to the size and depth of
the ulcers.
The newly invented 3-DKF that was analyzed in this study relieved pressure, thereby
reducing the size and depth of pressure ulcers. In the 3-DKF mice group, growth factor-,
inflammation-, and proliferation-related molecules associated with wound healing were
expressed at levels similar to those in normal tissues. Thus, it will be important
to ensure adequate pressure absorption to maintain the normal state of tissues because
of delays in wound healing in the diabetic state.
The 14 patients to whom the 3-DKF was preliminarily applied to reduce pressure had
no side effects, such as discomfort, a skin tone change, or itching. The 3-DKF should
be applied to more patients to confirm its effectiveness, but it showed considerable
potential and could be applied to patients at risk of pressure ulcers in a variety
of ways. It is expected that the 3-DKF can be applied to a variety of areas under
pressure by forming it into various shapes, such as diapers, small mattresses, hats,
socks, and underwear. Another advantage of the newly developed 3-DKF is that it is
not expensive. Many patients worldwide living out their lives in nursing homes suffer
from bedsores, which motivated the authors to develop this product.
In this study, we developed a novel 3-DKF and evaluated the effect of this fabric
in a STZ-induced mouse model of diabetes. In the 3-DKF application group, the depth
and area of the ulcers were reduced compared with those in the control group, and
lower tissue expression of proteins related to inflammation and higher levels of findings
related to growth factors, wound contraction, and proliferation were seen in the 3-DKF
group than in the control group. The authors found that the 3-DKF reduced pressure
in patients through a preliminary clinical application. Thus, the study showed that
the newly developed 3-DKF was effective in preventing pressure ulcers through animal
testing and preliminary clinical application.
