A cascade of events, including platelet aggregation, cytokine release, inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis and re-epithelialization, occurs in a healing wound. These processes are necessary for the proper course of healing, scar formation and remodeling.
To accelerate healing of skin wounds, novel advanced, porcine and equine collagen/tencel based dressings, were fabricated. Collagen plays a pivotal role in each phase of healing due to its chemotactic role. It attracts different types of cells such as fibroblasts and keratinocytes to the wound. This supports angiogenesis and re-epithelialization. To monitor biological efficacy, dressings were tested on an acute excision wound model in a laboratory rat. The wound size was recorded at 2, 7 and 14 days after surgery. Selected biomarkers were measured in the tissue - levels of proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, growth factors TGF beta and VEGF. Presence of inflammatory infiltrate, granulomatous reaction and re-epithelialized area were evaluated histologically.

Keywords: biopolymers; wound healing; cytokines