Preclinical wound models that are capable of properly recapitulating human wounds with different circumstances like infection, diabetes and with different types like scald, burn, incision or excision remain a significant translational challenge. Animal models should strive for reproducibility, quantitative interpretation, clinical relevance, and successful translation into clinical use. In this concise update of capacity to undertake preclinical wound models at Palamur biosciences private limited, we discuss large pigs and mini-pigs* animal models for skin wounds used in our facility with special emphasis on the cellular and immuno-histo-chemical processes of wound healing to evaluate the efficacy and safety of potential therapeutic agents.
*Mini-pigs are used for experiments where the quantity of the therapeutic agent is a limitation, especially with parenteral/per-oral routes of administration, while for the topical administration of the therapeutic agents, large pigs provide a better area to create sufficient number of wounds on the back of the animal.
At Palamur Biosciences following preclinical wound models in pigs are routinely executed
- Scald burn wound model
- Burn wound model
- Incision wound model
- Partial and full thickness excision wound model
The diabetic and infectious status annexure can be added to these models.
The wounds of different nature are created following universally accepted methods in the dorso-lateral area of thoraco-lumbar region and a real time macro (Planimetry and Visual analogue score) and micro (histological and immuno-histo-chemical) evaluation of wound healing is done at different intervals (1, 2, 3 and 4th week etc.)
Macroscopic evaluation of wound healing
Macro or observational wound healing is done by means of planimetry (wound contraction measurements) and applying the visual analogue score. Following is an example of full thickness excision wound model planimetry measurements on week I, 2, 3, and 4 where progression of wound contraction is evaluated for the 2.5cm x 2.5cm full thickness wounds.