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How “Sugar” on a Wound helps it Heal

Summary
-Topically applied sugars, in contrast to high internal sugar levels (diabetes), help a wound heal faster. This study examines the expression of Filaggrin and Claudin 1…the latter are two important proteins located in the epidermis which are important for barrier function.

Background
-Glucose in the blood stream defines Diabetes and is a cause of delayed wound healing.
-On the other hands topically applied saccharides reduce inflammation and accelerate wound healing (isodine sugar, honey and glycosaminogycanes)
-Topical application of a high dose of glucose reduces skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis model mice (45 th Japanese Annual Meeting for Dermatoallergology and Contact Dermatitis)

The authors from Kagoshima, Japan sought to study the mechanism of action of glucose on wound healing. More exactly, they measured the expression of:
Claudin 1 (more information, click HERE)
Filaggrin impaired barrier effect of glucose (to read our articles on filaggrin, click HERE)

These two molecules are essential to maintain the barrier function of the skin.

The authors demonstrate that topical application of high glucose improves skin inflammation in mite antigen-sensitized NC/Nga mice. It improves skin barrier function by increasing the expression of claudin-1 and filaggrin.

Conclusion
Topical treatment with a high dose of glucose restores skin barrier function and may decrease sensitization, reducing immune response and skin inflammation.

Methodology: Measurement of the effect of high glucose on the expression of claudin-1 and filaggrin induced with high glucose 55nM determined by western blotting and RT-PCR in human cultured skin keratinocytes and mite antigen-sensitized NC/Nga mice. Skin inflammation in the ears were evaluated by skin severity score, ear thickness and histological findings

P05-23 High glucose activates claudin-1 and filaggrin expression: possible mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect by repairing the skin barrier. Yamada K. et al. Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology 2016 – Sendai. Japan