The use of angiogenic-antimicrobial agents in experimental wounds in animals: problems and solutions

A topical combination (silvathymosin) of natural proangiogeneic protein thymosin β4 (Tβ4) and antimicrobial silver sulfadiazine was hypothesized to promote the healing of large, full-thickness, clean or infected wounds in rats. Silvathymosin showed the fastest wound healing (85%) followed by silver sulfadiazine (84%) and Tβ4 (72%). In the infected groups, the healing pattern was different, as Tβ4 and silvathymosin groups did not show similar wound healing. Wound histopathology and VEGF and KI67 immunohistochemical assessment of angiogenesis was consistent and correlated well with the tempo of healing of the acute wounds. These preliminary data demonstrate the more rapid acute wound healing properties of the combination formulation of thymosin β4 and silver sulfadiazine as compared to these agents alone. This novel agent could prove an effective treatment modality for debilitating chronic wounds and decubitus ulcers.