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The effects of pH on wound healing, biofilms, and antimicrobial efficacy
Author(s) -
Percival Steven L.,
McCarty Sara,
Hunt John A.,
Woods Emma J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
wound repair and regeneration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.847
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1524-475X
pISSN - 1067-1927
DOI - 10.1111/wrr.12125
Subject(s) - wound healing , biofilm , antimicrobial , matrix metalloproteinase , fibroblast , chemistry , wound care , microbiology and biotechnology , keratinocyte , medicine , pharmacology , immunology , bacteria , in vitro , biology , biochemistry , intensive care medicine , genetics
It is known that pH has a role to play in wound healing. In particular, pH has been shown to affect matrix metalloproteinase activity, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases activity, fibroblast activity, keratinocyte proliferation, microbial proliferation, and also immunological responses in a wound; the patient's defense mechanisms change the local pH of a wound to effect microorganism invasion and proliferation; this pH change has been found to affect the performance of antimicrobials, and therefore the efficacy in biological environments directly relevant to wound healing. Based on the available body of scientific evidence to date, it is clear that pH has a role to play in both the healing of and treatment of chronic and acute wounds. It is the purpose of this review to evaluate the published knowledge base that concerns the effect of pH changes, the role it plays in wound healing and biofilm formation, and how it can affect treatment efficacy and wound management strategies.