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Updated: Apr 13, 2026
Protocol to Create Chronic Wounds in Diabetic Mice
Published on: September 25, 2019
Wound healing kinetics of the genetically diabetic mouse
Sandra Saja Scherer, Giorgio Pietramaggiori, Jasmine C Mathews
1Division of Plastic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts;Email: dorgill@partners.org.
Abstract:
The increased number of chronic nonhealing wounds mirrors the epidemic of type 2 diabetes. Diabetic animal models may allow for better understanding of the pathophysiology of wound healing and may lead to the pre-clinical testing of a variety of therapeutic modalities for this patient group. The authors present an overview of the literature on excisional wound mouse models and focus on the authors' experience with the db/db mouse. Excisional wounds in wild type mice heal quickly due primarily to wound contraction, which is delayed in the db/db mouse. In this animal model it is possible to study and quantify the main mechanisms of healing and produce highly reproducible information. Differences in methodologies, infection control, as well as fine details such as the dressing option, partially explain heterogeneous results in the literature. Given the increase of the diabetic population, the db/db mouse model provides a powerful tool to study the effects of therapeutics for improving wound healing. The standardization of this animal model represents an important aspect to improve in the wound care field.
Insights
Diabetic wound healing is a growing concern. The db/db mouse model offers a standardized approach for studying therapeutic interventions to improve healing in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Wound healing research
- Diabetic complications
- Animal models in research
Background:
- Chronic nonhealing wounds are increasing, mirroring the rise in type 2 diabetes.
- Diabetic animal models are crucial for understanding wound healing pathophysiology.
- Pre-clinical testing of therapies for diabetic wound patients is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on excisional wound mouse models.
- To detail experience with the db/db mouse model for wound healing studies.
- To highlight the importance of standardization in animal models for wound care research.
Main Methods:
- Literature overview of excisional wound mouse models.
- Focus on the db/db mouse model for studying delayed wound contraction.
- Quantification of healing mechanisms and ensuring reproducibility.
Main Results:
- Excisional wounds heal rapidly in wild-type mice via contraction.
- Wound contraction is significantly delayed in db/db mice.
- The db/db mouse model allows for reproducible study of healing mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- The db/db mouse is a valuable tool for studying therapeutics to improve diabetic wound healing.
- Standardization of this model is key to advancing wound care.
- Addressing methodological differences is crucial for consistent research outcomes.
