Pilot trial of plant-derived recombinant type I human collagen in healing post-surgical diabetic foot wounds.

This pilot study examined the effect of recombinant type I human collagen on post- surgical diabetic foot lesion healing by secondary intention. Twenty-four patients (17 male, 7 female; mean age 66.2±2.4 years; duration of diabetes 9.7±4.2 years, HbA_1c 7.3±1.5%) were randomised to receive type 1 recombinant human collagen plus standard treatment (n=12) or standard treatment (n=12). They were evaluated weekly for 6 months or until complete healing had occurred. Rate and time of healing, recurrence and adverse reactions/hypersensitivity to treatment were recorded. The group that received type 1 recombinant human collagen had a significantly higher healing rate (83.3% versus 58.3%, P<0.01) and shorter healing time (64±4 days versus 90±11 days, P<0.02) than the group receiving standard treatment. There were no between-group differences in adverse events, recurrence or re-interventions during follow-up. The addition of type I recombinant human collagen to standard treatment increased healing rate and shortened healing time in patients with post-surgical diabetic foot wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]