Efficacy of desulfated heparin mitigating inflammation in rat burn wound model

During skin repair, leukocyte infiltration is the principal inflammatory response which is instrumental in triggering growth factor and cytokine signals that orchestrate together to recruit cells necessary for healing. In severe wounds like burn, when acute inflammation becomes chronic, intervention is required to control inflammation so as to hasten the process of healing. Heparin, a known anticoagulant also possesses anti-inflammatory activity by its ability to interfere with the adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium. Desulfated heparins (DSH) have subdued anticoagulant activity while possessing increased anti-inflammatory activity. Among which 2,3 DSH is found to have marked potency as an anti-inflammatory agent and has been utilized for this study. In this investigation, a controlled delivery system was designed by incorporating 2,3 DSH in microspheres and embedding in collagen matrix which could serve as a wound dressing in burns. In vivo evaluation of healing process was ascertained in rat burn wound model by qualitative and quantitative estimation of proinflammatory cytokines in serum and granulation tissue and collagen turnover was also assessed as healing progressed. The results of this study suggests that 2,3 DSH could be delivered in a controlled manner to regulate inflammatory events to hasten healing of burn wounds.