Application of Topical Sucralfate and Topical Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Wound Healing in Diabetic Ulcer Rats Wound Model

PURPOSE: One of the most serious and devastating complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic ulcers. They are difficult to treat and often result in limb loss. Topical sucralfate and platelet-rich plasma have the potential to improve the healing outcomes of chronic ulcers, including diabetic ulcers. This research aims to determine the effectiveness of sucralfate and platelet-rich plasma therapy for the improvement of diabetic ulcer wound healing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety Wistar rats were used in this study and were classified into five groups. Four of the five groups were diabetic induced and were treated with topical sucralfate only, platelet-rich plasma only, combination of topical sucralfate and platelet-rich plasma, and diabetic control group which received standard therapy only. The non-diabetic control group did not receive any therapy. We observed macrophage amount, platelet-derived growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and hypoxia-inducible factor as a biomarker. Rats were terminated after 7th and 14th days and were subjected to immunohistochemistry staining and examination. RESULTS: We found that topical sucralfate and platelet-rich plasma increase macrophage levels, vascular endothelial growth factor expression and platelet-derived growth factor expression in diabetic wound cells. We also found a reduction in hypoxia inducible factor-1α expression. Combination of topical sucralfate and platelet-rich plasma for 14 days gave the most significant improvement in terms of wound healing compared to topical sucralfate or platelet-rich plasma alone. CONCLUSION: The combination of topical sucralfate and platelet-rich plasma therapy results in the best improvement in diabetic ulcer wound healing compared to sucralfate or platelet-rich plasma monotherapy or conventional wound healing therapy.