Effects of interleukin-10 on cutaneous wounds and scars in humans of African continental ancestral origin.

Scars in humans of African continental ancestry heal with an exaggerated inflammatory response and a generally wider scar. Interleukin-10 is an anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic cytokine. A randomized controlled trial in Caucasians found that exogenous interleukin-10 resulted in improved macroscopic scar appearance and reduced scar redness.

Therapeutic improvement of scarring: mechanisms of scarless and scar-forming healing and approaches to the discovery of new treatments.

Scarring in the skin after trauma, surgery, burn or sports injury is a major medical problem, often resulting in loss of function, restriction of tissue movement and adverse psychological effects. Whilst various studies have utilised a range of model systems that have increased our understanding of the pathways and processes underlying scar formation, they have typically not translated to the development of effective therapeutic approaches for scar management. Existing treatments are unreliable and unpredictable and there are no prescription drugs for the prevention or treatment of dermal scarring.

Maturation of the human scar: an observational study.

Background: The natural history of scar maturation in humans has never been formally described from either a clinical or a histologic standpoint.

Methods: The maturation of incisional scars was observed in 58 healthy male volunteers who each had 2 x 1-cm incisional wounds created on the inner aspect of both upper arms. The resulting scars were photographed digitally at monthly intervals for 12 months and excised for histologic analysis at specific time points.

Scar redness in humans: how long does it persist after incisional and excisional wounding?

Background: The natural history of scar redness in humans has never been formally described, and the point at which normal scar redness fades is unknown.

Methods: As part of a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial investigating the effects of various doses of transforming growth factor-beta3 on scar quality, the authors observed the process of scar redness and maturation in non-drug-treated incisional and excisional wounds made on the upper inner arms of 103 volunteers. Scar photographic images were assessed by a review panel to ascertain the month during which redness faded for a particular scar.