Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

988

Date

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Biomedical Engineering

Committee Chair

Warren Haggard

Committee Member

Harry Courtney

Committee Member

Joel Bumgardner

Committee Member

Amber Jennings

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers affect approximately 15% of the almost 20.8 million people with diabetes mellitus, costing approximately $10.9 billion annually. Diabetic foot ulcers are particularly difficult to treat due to neuropathy and healing deficiencies. The objective of this in vitro study was to measure the effects of adenosine and glutathione on fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis while improving the availability of these compounds at the wound site with the use of a chitosan sponge as a localized delivery vehicle. This study found adenosine (500µM) and glutathione (250µM) enhanced fibroblast proliferation by approximately 100% and 46% increase as compared to untreated controls respectively, and enhanced collagen synthesis in normal fibroblasts. Furthermore, chitosan sponges effectively released active concentrations of adenosine and glutathione, up to 500µM and 250µM respectively, over a period of three days. The results of this study suggest that chitosan sponges loaded with adenosine and glutathione may be effective in treating diabetic foot ulcers in patients under closely managed glucose conditions.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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