Intracellular delivery of adenosine triphosphate enhanced healing process in full-thickness skin wounds in diabetic rabbits

Wang, Jianpu; Wan, Rong; Mo, Yiqun; Li, Ming; Zhang, Qunwei; Chien, Sufan

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2009.05.040

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 199, Issue 6 , Pages 823-832, June 2010

Intracellular delivery of adenosine triphosphate enhanced healing process in full-thickness skin wounds in diabetic rabbits

Jianpu Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 502 852 4419; fax: +1 502 852 1256
Rong Wan, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Department of Environment Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
Yiqun Mo, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Environment Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
Ming Li, B.S.
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
Qunwei Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Environment Health and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
Sufan Chien, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

Received 2 January 2009; received in revised form 1 May 2009

Abstract

Background

Small unilamellar lipid vesicles were used to encapsulate adenosine triphosphate (ATP-vesicles) for intracellular energy delivery and were tested for diabetic skin wounds in rabbits.

Methods

Diabetes was induced by alloxan. The mean peak blood glucose concentration was 505 mg/dL. One ear was made ischemic and 80 full-thickness wounds were created in 10 animals. ATP-vesicles or saline was used and healing was compared.

Results

On the non-ischemic ears, mean closure time for ATP-vesicles–treated wounds was 13.7 days versus 16.4 days for saline-treated wounds (P < .05). On the ischemic ears, mean closure time for ATP-vesicles–treated wounds was 15.3 days versus 19.3 days for saline-treated wounds (P < .01). Histological study indicated better healing and re-epithelialization in the ATP-vesicles–treated wounds.

Conclusions

Intracellular delivery of ATP accelerated the healing process of diabetic skin wounds on ischemic and non-ischemic rabbit ears. The mechanisms deserve further study but may be related to improved cellular energy supplies.

Keywords: Wound healing, Diabetes, Adenosine triphosphate, Rabbit