Influence of hydrogencalcium salts of oxidized cellulose on MMP-2, MMP-9 and TNF-α production and wound healing in non-healing wounds.

Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) may influence wound healing and wound closure in non-healing wounds. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that hydrogencalcium salts of oxidized cellulose change the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and TNF-α, wound size and number of bacterial strains in non-healing wounds. We analyzed MMP-2, MMP-9 and TNF-α in the wound fluid from 20 patients by ELISA every fourteen days over six weeks. Wound size, pain, wound closure and bacterial strains in the wound were also investigated. The wound size was reduced in 14 patients and pain in 16 patients. Bacterial contamination of the wound decreased significantly after treatment. The level of MMP-2 correlated with TNF-α production. The level of MMP-9 was unchanged during the healing period. We conclude that hydrogencalcium salts of oxidized cellulose have a favorable effect on the reduction of bacterial contamination, wound size and pain.