Expression of neuropeptides and cytokines in a rabbit model of diabetic neuroischemic wound healing

Although, diabetic foot ulceration is a major clinical problem and the most common cause for hospital admissions in diabetic patients, there is limited basic and translational research. One of the main reasons is the lack of appropriate animal models that control for factors related to the major complications of diabetes, namely, neuropathy and ischemia. The aim of this study was to use a clinically relevant animal model of neuroischemic wound healing that is representative of human diabetic foot ulceration and to examine the contribution of neuropeptides and inflammation. These data, showing a link between neuropeptide and cytokine function, diabetes, and neuroischemia, provide both a basis and a model for studies of wound-healing therapies.