Wound exudate CXCL6: a potential biomarker for wound healing of diabetic foot ulcers

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CXCL-6 levels in wound exudates and healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Materials & methods: One hundred patients with neuropathic DFU were recruited. Wound exudate CXCL-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were followed for 24 weeks and divided into rapidly healing and nonhealing groups. Results: Compared with the NH group, the mean CXCL-6 levels in the wound exudates of the rapidly healing group were significantly higher. After adjusting for traditional risk factors, wound exudate CXCL-6 levels were still significantly associated with wound healing. Conclusion: CXCL6 is an independent predictor of wound healing in DFU patients and may be a potentially novel therapeutic target for the treatment of DFU.