{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Tryptophan intrinsic fluorescence from wound healing correlates with re-epithelialization in a rabbit model.
{Author}: Duran-Padilla M;Serrano-Loyola R;Perez-Garcia A;Carrillo-Betancourt R;Campos-García Rojas C;Reyes-Alberto M;Franco W;Hernandez-Ruiz J;Gutierrez-Herrera E;
{Journal}: Skin Res Technol
{Volume}: 30
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jul
{Factor}: 2.24
{DOI}: 10.1111/srt.13834
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Wound healing monitoring and timely decision-making are critical for wound classification. Tryptophan (Tr) intrinsic fluorescence, detected at 295/340 nm, provides a noninvasive approach for wound assessment. Our previous work demonstrated that this autofluorescence is associated with keratinocytes in a highly proliferative state in vitro.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>We investigated the correlation between Tr fluorescence and key wound healing parameters, including re-epithelialization, fibrosis, neovascularization, and acute and chronic inflammation, using a rabbit model.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Seven rabbits underwent wound healing assessment over a 15-day period. We employed histological analysis from central and marginal biopsies, and UV fluorescence imaging captured by a monochromatic near-UV sensitive camera equipped with a passband optical filter (340 nm/12 nm). Excitation was achieved using a 295 nm LEDs ring lamp. Normalized fluorescence values were correlated with histological measurements using Pearson correlation.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The UV fluorescence strongly exhibited a strong correlation with re-epithelization (r = 0.8) at the wound edge, with peak intensity observed between the sixth and ninth days. Notably, wound-healing dynamics differed between the wound center and edge, primarily attributed to variations in re-epithelialization, neovascularization, and chronic inflammation.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our findings highlight the presence of autofluorescence at 295/340 nm during wound healing, demonstrating a robust association with re-epithelialization. This excitation/emission signal holds promise as a valuable noninvasive strategy for monitoring wound closure, re-epithelialization, and other biological processes where Tr plays a pivotal role.