Time- and dose-dependent effects of chronic wound fluid on human adult dermal fibroblasts.

Background: Wound healing is a biologic process that is altered in patients affected by chronic venous ulcers. The wound microenvironment is reflected in the chronic wound fluid (CWF), an exudate containing serum components and tissue-derived proteins.

Objectives: We investigated the effects of increasing doses of CWF collected from patients suffering from chronic venous ulcers on human adult dermal fibroblasts cultured in vitro and the relationship among CWF effects and treatment length.

Prognostic role of factor XIII gene variants in nonhealing venous leg ulcers.

Objective: Many factors impair healing of chronic venous ulcer (CVU), and many theories have been proposed to explain their pathogenesis. Coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) influences tissue regeneration and angiogenesis with effects on wound healing. Because FXIII properties depend upon its genetic variants, we investigated whether intragene polymorphisms may have modulating effects on the CVU area.

Serum iron and matrix metalloproteinase-9 variations in limbs affected by chronic venous disease and venous leg ulcers.

Background: Severe chronic venous disease (CVD) is characterized by both dermal hemosiderin accumulation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) hyperactivation. The iron-driven pathway is one of the recognized mechanisms of MMP hyperactivation.

Objective: To investigate the potential consequences of leg hemosiderin deposits on both iron metabolism and activation of MMPs.