The Effect of a Hydrocolloid Dressing Containing Ceramide-2 on Split-Thickness Wounds in a Laser-Induced Erosion Model

Role of Omega-Hydroxy Ceramides in Epidermis: Biosynthesis, Barrier Integrity and Analyzing Method

Attached to the outer surface of the corneocyte lipid envelope (CLE), omega-hydroxy ceramides (ω-OH-Cer) link to involucrin and function as lipid components of the stratum corneum (SC). The integrity of the skin barrier is highly dependent on the lipid components of SC, especially on ω-OH-Cer. Synthetic ω-OH-Cer supplementation has been utilized in clinical practice for epidermal barrier injury and related surgeries. However, the mechanism discussion and analyzing methods are not keeping pace with its clinical application. Though mass spectrometry (MS) is the primary choice for biomolecular analysis, method modifications for ω-OH-Cer identification are lacking in progress. Therefore, finding conclusions on ω-OH-Cer biological function, as well as on its identification, means it is vital to remind further researchers of how the following work should be done. This review summarizes the important role of ω-OH-Cer in epidermal barrier functions and the forming mechanism of ω-OH-Cer. Recent identification methods for ω-OH-Cer are also discussed, which could provide new inspirations for study on both ω-OH-Cer and skin care development.

Nanotechnological interventions of the microbiome as a next-generation antimicrobial therapy

The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) impacts public health due to the diminished potency of existing antibiotics. The microbiome plays an important role in the host's immune system activity and shows the history of exposure to antimicrobials and its manipulation in combating antimicrobial resistance. Advancements in gene technologies, DNA sequencing, and computational biology have emerged as powerful platforms to better understand the relationship between animals and microorganisms (MOs). The past few years have witnessed an increase in the use of nanotechnology, both in industry and in academia, as tools to tackle antimicrobial resistance. New strategies of microbiome manipulation have been developed, such as the use of prebiotics, probiotics, peptides, antibodies, an appropriate diet, phage therapy, and the use of various nanotechnological techniques. Owing to the research outcomes, targeted delivery of antimicrobials with some modifications with nanoparticles can lead to the destruction of resistant microbial cells. In addition, nanoparticles have been studied for their potential antimicrobial effects both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we highlight key opportunistic areas for applying nanotechnologies with the aim of manipulating the microbiome for the treatment of antimicrobial resistance. Besides providing a detailed review on various nanomaterials, technologies, opportunities, technical needs, and potential approaches for the manipulation of the microbiome to address these challenges, we discuss future challenges and our perspective.

Probiotics and Their Effect on Surgical Wound Healing: A Systematic Review and New Insights into the Role of Nanotechnology

Skin tissue repair is of fundamental importance for maintaining homeostasis regulation, protection barrier, absorption, and excretion of skin tissue. Wound healing is a complicated process that can be impaired by infections and therefore have a significant economic and social impact. Simultaneously, the overuse of antibiotics has led to antimicrobial resistance and loss of their efficacy. Thus, the need for alternative antimicrobial agents is urgent. The newest approaches on wound dressings employ new therapeutic agents, such as probiotics. Probiotics alone or in tandem with nanotechnology-based techniques exhibit a broad range of benefits on surgical wounds. This systematic review aims to consider current knowledge of probiotic effects on animals and humans regarding surgical wound healing and provide new insights into the role of nanotechnology. The databases included were PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL). Studies focused on burns, chronic wounds, and diabetic ulcers were excluded. The promising industry of probiotics demonstrates a significant upsurge as more and more healthy individuals rely their well-being on alternative medicine. Included probiotics illustrated positive results on wound re-epithelization, neovascularization, and wound healing. No adverse effects were noted.

Borage Oil Enhances Lamellar Body Content and Alters Fatty Acid Composition of Epidermal Ceramides in Essential Fatty Acid-Deficient Guinea Pigs

Borage oil [BO: 40.9% linoleic acid (LNA) and 24.0% γ-linolenic acid (GLA)] reverses disrupted epidermal lipid barrier in essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). We determined the effects of BO on lamellar body (LB) content and LNA and GLA incorporation into epidermal ceramide 1 (CER1) and epidermal ceramide 2 (CER2), major barrier lipids. EFAD was induced in guinea pigs by a diet of 6% hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO) for 10 weeks (group HCO) or 8 weeks followed by 6% BO for 2 weeks (group HCO + BO). LB content and LNA and GLA incorporation into CER1 were higher in group HCO + BO than in group HCO. Small but significant levels of LNA, GLA, and their C20-metabolized fatty acids [dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid (ARA)] were incorporated into CER2, where ARA was detected at a level lower than LNA, but DGLA incorporation exceeded that for GLA in group HCO + BO. Dietary BO enhanced LB content and differential incorporation of GLA into CER1 and DGLA into CER2.

Agarose bioplastic-based drug delivery system for surgical and wound dressings

We have developed an agarose-based biocompatible drug delivery vehicle. The vehicle is in the form of thin, transparent, strong and flexible films. The biocompatibility and haemocompatibility of the films is confirmed using direct and indirect contact biological assay. Contact angle measurement exhibits hydrophilic nature of the films, and protein adsorption test shows low protein adsorption on the film surface. Drugs, antibiotics and antiseptics, retain their potency after their incorporation into the films. Our bioplastic films can be a versatile medium for drug delivery applications, especially as wound and surgical dressings where a fast drug release rate is desired.