Wound Healing

Hello there, 

Today’s newsletter is all about the science of angiogenesis as it relates to wound healing. We will cover the delicate balance of angiogenic activity, the key nutrients at play, and our recent publication in this space. 

Phases of Angiogenesis in Wound Healing

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, plays a crucial role in wound healing. This complex biological process is essential for restoring blood flow to damaged tissues, providing necessary nutrients and oxygen, and supporting the overall repair mechanisms.

Angiogenesis during wound healing can be divided into two primary phases:

1. Pro-Angiogenic Phase: This initial phase occurs shortly after tissue injury. It is characterized by the rapid formation of new blood vessels to restore the passage of blood and nutrient supply to the wound site. During this phase, endothelial (blood vessel) cells migrate and multiply in response to various angiogenic factors such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), and Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β).

2. Anti-Angiogenic Phase: Following the pro-angiogenic phase, there is a maturation process where the initially chaotic network of new vessels undergoes remodeling. This phase involves removing excess vessels to establish a more organized vascular structure, ultimately leading to a reduction in vessel density as the wound heals to avoid over-scarring. 

Understanding the mechanisms of angiogenesis in wound healing is vital for developing therapeutic strategies for chronic wounds. Impaired or excessive angiogenesis can lead to complications such as non-healing ulcers or pathological scars, respectively. 

Key Nutrients Related to Wound Healing and Angiogenesis

Proper nutrition and specific nutrients significantly influence the processes of angiogenesis and wound healing. 

1. Proteins and Amino Acids: Proteins provide the amino acids necessary for synthesizing new tissues. Arginine is crucial for nitric oxide production, which enhances blood flow and promotes angiogenesis. It also supports collagen synthesis and immune function, which is essential for wound healing. Glutamine, another important amino acid, aids in immune response and reduces the risk of infections during the healing process.

2. Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins A, C, and D, along with zinc and iron, play vital roles in wound healing and tissue repair. Vitamin A supports angiogenesis and epithelial growth, vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis and reduces oxidative stress, and vitamin D modulates immune responses. Zinc aids cell proliferation and tissue repair, while iron ensures adequate oxygen transport for cellular metabolism.

3. Curcumin: This natural compound exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may enhance wound healing by reducing inflammation and promoting angiogenesis through various molecular pathways.

New Research by the Angiogenesis Foundation in Collaboration with the University of Arizona

The Angiogenesis Foundation partnered with the Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arizona to investigate the effects of avenanthramide (AVN) and β-Glucan, two oat-derived compounds, on wound healing in mice. 

The study demonstrated that these compounds promote wound healing through distinct mechanisms, with AVN exhibiting a more regenerative effect and β-Glucan potentially beneficial for chronic wound healing. The β-Glucan specifically had pro-angiogenic effects that increased blood vessel density in healed wounds.

Our co-founders, Dr. William Li and Dr. Vincent Li, were co-authors of the research article published in February of this year in the journal Advances in Wound Care. Moreover, Dr. Vincent Li presented the results at the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) conference in July and the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) in October. Check out the article abstract here and a picture of Dr. Li at SAWC below.