In vitro evaluation of the capability of a silicone superabsorbent polymer (SAP) dressing to modulate pro-inflammatory cytokines

Background
Reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine concentration in a wound is important to allow the normal wound healing process to progress. Aims: In this study, the ability of a self-adhesive silicone superabsorbent polymer (silicone SAP) wound dressing to modulate proteinase when compared to six other silicone dressings was investigated.

Methods
To quantify proteinase modulation, dressings were cut to 1 × 1 cm into individual test wells, spiked with 5 ng/ml metalloproteinase (MMP), 10,000 pg/ml human neutrophil elastase (HNE) or 7,000 pg/ml human calprotectin (HCP) and incubated for 24 hours. Test dressings were removed and protein remaining in test wells was recovered and quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Significantly lower levels of HNE and HCP, and no MMP was detected from test wells containing the self-adhesive silicone SAP dressing, demonstrating capability for modulating all target proteins to a greater extent when compared to the six silicone foam dressings.

Conclusion
The self-adhesive silicone SAP dressing tested in this study demonstrated greater protein modulation when compared to a panel of currently available alternate dressing types.

Terry Swanson
Co-Chair. Nurse Practitioner Wound Management, Private Practice; Director and Founder, Wound Education Research Consultancy (W.E.R.C.)

Wendy White Co-Chair.
Independent Consultant/Educator, Advanced Practice Nurse; Director and Founder, TALKING WOUNDS® & WOUNDed® Learning Centre

Ann Marie Dunk
Clinical Nurse Consultant, Tissue Viability Unit, Canberra Health Services

Taliesin Ellis
Wound Management Clinical Practice Consultant, Wound Management Consultancy,

Barossa Hills
Fleurieu Local Health Network

Michelle Gibb
Nurse Practitioner Wound Management Founder & Director , Wound Specialist Services

Chloe Jansz
Nurse Practitioner/PhD, Director of Nursing Healthcare United, University Lecturer

Tabatha Rando
Nurse Practitioner - Plastics/Wound Management, Plastics/Wound Management, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Royal Adelaide Hospital

Sarah Sage
Clinical Nurse Consultant, Wound Management; Nurse Practitioner, Royal Melbourne Hospital Wound and Lymphoedema CNC, Healthcare United

Damian Williams
Nurse Practitioner, Skin Integrity Services, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital