Quantification of secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor in exudates from leg ulcers of patients with diabetes

M. T. C. McCrudden, C. R. Irwin, F. T. Lundy

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting abstractpeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Elevated protease levels at wound sites can cause a shift in the balance between repair and removal of damaged tissues, potentially leading to the development of chronic wounds. Regulation of these proteases is controlled by endogenous protease inhibitors. One such inhibitor responsible for regulating the activity of elastase is secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI). To date, epithelial expression of SLPI in cutaneous wound healing has been observed and its importance in oral wound healing has been highlighted but quantitative studies of SLPI at wound sites have been limited.

Aims: The aim of the current study is to quantify SLPI concentrations in wound fluid samples from the leg ulcers of patients with diabetes.

Methods: Wound fluid was collected prior to commencement of treatment and on weeks 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 using absorbent Periopaper® strips. SLPI concentrations in these samples were deduced by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Patients were divided into two groups: those that healed completely over the 16 weeks and those that did not. SLPI concentrations at each visit were compared between the two groups. At each visit SLPI concentrations were higher in the healed group suggesting that the activity of elastase in these wounds was under more stringent control than in those patients that did not heal.

Discussion: These results suggest that the higher SLPI concentrations found in healing wounds are integral to the prevention of inappropriate elastase activity at wound sites and thus the prevention of chronic wound development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-32
JournalRegulatory Peptides
Volume164
Issue number1
Early online date20 Aug 2010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 09 Sept 2010
Event18th International Symposium on Regulatory Peptides - Belfast, United Kingdom
Duration: 05 Sept 201008 Sept 2010

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