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

Reducing pro-inflammatory proteinase and cytokine levels in a wound is important for supporting the normal wound healing process. Recently developed dressings containing superabsorbent polymer (SAP) have demonstrated improved capacity for absorbing exudates and modulating pro-inflammatory proteinases. In this study, the ability of a self-adhesive silicone SAP wound dressing to modulate proteinase levels was quantitatively analyzed and compared to foam-based dressings.

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).

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.

The self-adhesive silicone SAP dressing showed to be a more effective choice of dressing for conditions simulating wounds with healing impairment and/or elevated wound healing inhibitors. The self-adhesive silicone SAP dressing successfully modulates excess proteinases when compared to similar foam-based dressings, reducing the chances of contamination and the need of frequent dressing changes.

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• Christopher Ball, NAMSA, Daresbury, UK.
• Colby Taylor, NAMSA, Daresbury, UK.
• Breno Salgado, NAMSA, Daresbury, UK.
• Erzsébet Szabóné Révész, Department of Surgery, St Goerge’s Hospital, Székesfehérvár, Hungary.
• Clemens Heller, Paul Hartmann AG, Heidenheim, Germany.