SYNTHETIC WOUND DRESSINGS - EVALUATION OF INTERACTIONS WITH EPITHELIAL AND DERMAL CELLS IN-VITRO

Comparative testing of seven wound dressings (WD) has been performed w ith human HaCaT keratinocyte and mouse 3T3 fibroblast cultures, To ass ess biocompatibility, morphologic examinations were combined with cell counting. Supernatants were subjected to measurements of tissue pepti de antigen (TPS), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and interleukins (IL-1 alpha, -1 beta, -6), Furthermore, monoxygenatio n, the reduced glutathione/oxidized gluthathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio and lipid peroxides were determined. Initial morphologic events were noted within the first day of exposure to WD. After 72 h, inhibition of cel l growth was observed in the presence of hydrocolloids and hydrogels. The cytochrome-P450-dependent ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation rate and the GSH/GSSG ratio were not altered by WD in HaCaT cells, Lipid peroxi de generation, IL-1 and ICAM-1 were scarcely detectable, TPS and IL-6 release indicate the presence of an 'activated stage' of keratinocytes and fibroblasts exposed to WD, Peptide release in vivo may contribute to the beneficial effects of modern dressings in the treatment of sup erficial cutaneous wounds.