Effect of Manuka honey gel on the transforming growth factor β1 and β3 concentrations, bacterial counts and histomorphology of contaminated full-thickness skin wounds in equine distal limbs.
Abstract: To investigate the effect of 66% Manuka honey gel on the concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β3, bacterial counts and histomorphology during healing of contaminated equine distal limb wounds. Methods: In this experimental study of 10 Standardbred horses, five full-thickness skin wounds (2 × 1.5 cm) were created on one metacarpus and six similar wounds were created on the contralateral metacarpus. Wounds were assigned to three groups: non-contaminated control wounds; contaminated control wounds; contaminated wounds treated daily with 1 mL Manuka honey gel topically for 10 days. For the contaminated wounds, faeces were applied for 24 h after wound creation. In five horses wounds were bandaged and in the other five horses wounds were left without a bandage. Biopsies were taken on days 1, 2, 7 and 10 after wounding to evaluate the effects of Manuka honey gel, wound contamination and bandaging on TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 concentrations, aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts, and histomorphology. Results: Manuka honey gel had no significant effect on TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 concentrations or wound bacterial counts. Manuka honey gel decreased wound inflammation (days 7, 10), increased angiogenesis (days 2, 7, 10), increased fibrosis and collagen organisation (day 7) and increased epithelial hyperplasia (days 7, 10). Conclusions: Treatment with Manuka honey gel resulted in a more organised granulation tissue bed early in wound repair, which may contribute to enhanced healing of equine distal limb wounds.
© 2016 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2016-01-28 PubMed ID: 26814159DOI: 10.1111/avj.12405Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discussed tests the effectiveness of Manuka honey gel on wounds in horses‘ distal limbs, specifically looking at changes in bacterial counts, tissue growth factors, and wound healing progression. Contrary to some expectations, while the honey gel didn’t impact growth factors or bacterial levels, it had noticeable effects on inflammation, angiogenesis, fibrosis, collagen organization and epithelial hyperplasia, presenting potential benefits for wound healing.
Methodology
- The study involved 10 Standardbred horses. The researchers created full-thickness skin wounds on the horses’ limbs and then categorized them into three distinct groups: a control group with no wound contamination, a control group with contaminated wounds, and a group with contaminated wounds treated with Manuka honey gel for a 10-day period.
- The wounds in contaminated groups were contaminated with faeces for 24 hours following wound creation, a factor which would mimic some real-life equine wound scenarios in which the animal might get wounded in the field.
- There was also a variation in whether wounds were bandaged or not, with five horses wearing bandages and the remaining five left without.
- Throughout the 10-day period, biopsies were taken regularly to track and assess the impact of the Manuka honey gel and other variables on specific wound characteristics. These included transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β3 concentrations, aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts, and histomorphology.
Results
- The Manuka honey gel treatment did not significantly affect the concentrations of the TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 growth factors nor the bacterial counts in the wound.
- However, the application of Manuka honey gel was found to decrease wound inflammation, particularly noted at days 7 and 10, and increase angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), observed at days 2, 7, and 10.
- Additional effects of the Manuka honey included increased fibrosis and improved organization of collagen at day 7 as well as enhanced epithelial hyperplasia observed at days 7 and 10.
Conclusions
- The results suggest that while Manuka honey might not directly impact growth factors or bacterial amounts in equine wounds, it can influence various aspects of the wound healing process.
- Reductions in inflammation, increases in angiogenesis, fibrosis, and collagen organization, and boosts to epithelial hyperplasia suggest that the application of Manuka honey gel can aid in the initial stages of wound healing by creating a more organised granulation tissue bed.
- The researchers concluded that the use of Manuka honey gel might contribute positively to the healing process of equine distal limb wounds.
Cite This Article
APA
Bischofberger AS, Dart CM, Horadagoda N, Perkins NR, Jeffcott LB, Little CB, Dart AJ.
(2016).
Effect of Manuka honey gel on the transforming growth factor β1 and β3 concentrations, bacterial counts and histomorphology of contaminated full-thickness skin wounds in equine distal limbs.
Aust Vet J, 94(1-2), 27-34.
https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12405 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Research and Clinical Trials Unit, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
- Research and Clinical Trials Unit, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
- Research and Clinical Trials Unit, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
- Ausvet Animal Health Services, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia.
- Research and Clinical Trials Unit, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
- Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratories, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Institute of Bone and Joint Research, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia.
- Research and Clinical Trials Unit, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia. andrew.dart@sydney.edu.au.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Topical
- Animals
- Bacterial Load
- Extremities
- Feces / microbiology
- Honey
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Skin / injuries
- Skin / microbiology
- Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
- Transforming Growth Factor beta3 / metabolism
- Wound Healing
Citations
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