(LR-006) Effect of a lipidocolloid dressing on extracellular matrix synthesis

Introduction: A lipido-colloid dressing that is atraumatic but not silicone based, rather one that uses a class of polymers called block copolymers, is made with hydrophilic ingredients such as carboxymethyl cellulose. The dressing has shown excellent clinical results. Data shows that this dressing can have a stimulating effect on fibroblast proliferation. During wound healing, the function of fibroblasts is to reconstitute the extracellular matrix network consisting of macromolecules such as collagens, elastin, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and fibronectin, etc. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the lipidocolloid dressing on extracellular matrix synthesis.

Methods: Normal Human Dermal Fibroblast (NHDF) were cultivated at 37°C in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum to confluency. A piece of dressing or a reference compound ( positive control) were applied onto the cell layers for 72 hours. Neosynthesis of total GAGs was measured by [3H]-glucosamine incorporation in GAG fraction; collagen and fibronectin were quantified using specific ELISA assays, matrix organization was visualized by immunofluorescence.

Results: Neosynthesis of some components of dermal matrix were stimulated specially (pro)collagen I. Both ELISA assays and immunoflourescence showed that the key matrix element collagen was highly likely to be formed under and around the dressing material.

Discussion: Physical effects of wound dressing materials which contains inert materials can effect cellular behavior in promoting their growth, or in this case, as shown by promoting the secretion of key tissue matrix materials. The conclusion is that the tested lipidocolloid contact layer used in acute and chronic wounds, stimulates both fibroblast proliferation and dermal matrix synthesis; both activities are potentially crucial for an optimal promotion of wound repair and may explain the clinical benefits reported elsewhere.