Nitric oxide donors selectively reduce the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-8 and -9 by human diabetic skin fibroblasts.

Background: Chronic, nonhealing skin wounds are a common ailment in uncontrolled diabetes and are associated with significant morbidity. The nonhealing diabetic foot wound displays pathologically elevated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. In contrast, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) is significantly reduced in these chronic ulcers.