Reducing the risk of skin pathologies in diabetics by using copper impregnated socks

被引:86
作者
Borkow, Gadi [1 ]
Zatcoff, Richard C. [2 ]
Gabbay, Jeffrey [1 ]
机构
[1] Cupron Sci, Modiin, Israel
[2] Upstate Podiatry, Simpsonville, SC USA
关键词
IN-VITRO; MICROMOLAR CONCENTRATIONS; LYSYL OXIDASE; FIBRONECTIN; ONYCHOMYCOSIS; STABILIZATION; EPIDEMIOLOGY; PREVALENCE; METAL;
D O I
10.1016/j.mehy.2009.02.050
中图分类号
R-3 [医学研究方法]; R3 [基础医学];
学科分类号
1001 ;
摘要
Diabetic individuals frequently suffer from skin pathologies, especially in their feet. Co-existing peripheral vascular disease and neuropathy exacerbate the capacity of these individuals to cope with infections, minor cuts and wounds, often leading to hard to treat and chronic ulcers. Copper has potent anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Copper is also an essential trace element vital for the normal function of many tissues and indispensable for the generation of new capillaries and skin. Human skin is not sensitive to copper and the risk of adverse reactions due to dermal exposure to copper is extremely low. We hypothesize that part of the increased risk of developing foot skin pathologies in diabetic patients with compromised blood circulation to the foot is due to low local copper levels. We further hypothesize that copper ions released from copper impregnated socks and absorbed through the skin would improve the well-being of the skin of diabetic patients by inducing angiogenesis and expression and stabilization of extracellular skin proteins, in addition to their biocidal effect of reducing the risk of fungal and bacterial infection of the diabetic foot. Thus, the use of copper impregnated socks may be used as a preventive modality. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the copper released from the socks may even be beneficial in the healing of cuts, wounds and even hard to treat skin pathologies. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:883 / 886
页数:4
相关论文
共 37 条
  • [1] Stabilisation of cables of fibronectin with micromolar concentrations of copper: in vitro cell substrate properties
    Ahmed, Z
    Briden, A
    Hall, S
    Brown, RA
    [J]. BIOMATERIALS, 2004, 25 (05) : 803 - 812
  • [2] Stabilization of fibronectin mats with micromolar concentrations of copper
    Ahmed, Z
    Idowu, BD
    Brown, RA
    [J]. BIOMATERIALS, 1999, 20 (03) : 201 - 209
  • [3] Intrauterine devices
    Bilian, X
    [J]. BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH CLINICAL OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, 2002, 16 (02) : 155 - 168
  • [4] Copper as a biocidal tool
    Borkow, G
    Gabbay, J
    [J]. CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, 2005, 12 (18) : 2163 - 2175
  • [5] Putting copper into action: copper-impregnated products with potent biocidal activities
    Borkow, G
    Gabbay, J
    [J]. FASEB JOURNAL, 2004, 18 (12) : 1728 - +
  • [6] Could chronic wounds not heal due to too low local copper levels?
    Borkow, Gadi
    Gabbay, Jeffrey
    Zatcoff, Richard C.
    [J]. MEDICAL HYPOTHESES, 2008, 70 (03) : 610 - 613
  • [7] Bowering CK, 2001, CAN FAM PHYSICIAN, V47, P1007
  • [8] Non-ulcerative skin pathologies of the diabetic foot
    Bristow, Ivan
    [J]. DIABETES-METABOLISM RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, 2008, 24 : S84 - S89
  • [9] Ferreira Marcus Castro, 2006, Clinics, V61, P571, DOI 10.1590/S1807-59322006000600014
  • [10] Cellular fibronectin binds to lysyl oxidase with high affinity and is critical for its proteolytic activation
    Fogelgren, B
    Polgár, N
    Szauter, KM
    Ujfaludi, Z
    Laczkó, R
    Fong, KSK
    Csiszar, K
    [J]. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY, 2005, 280 (26) : 24690 - 24697