Copper-taurine (CT): A potential organic compound to facilitate infected wound healing

Taurine plays various important roles in a large number of physiological and pathological conditions in human body, such as the cytoprotective functions, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects. Copper demonstrates a critical effect in the processes of wound healing, including induction of endothelial growth factor, angiogenesis, antimicrobial potency and expression and stabilization of extracellular matrix. Both copper and taurine are effective in accelerating wound healing, but it was rarely reported about the formation of copper complexes of taurine and the effect of the compound in wound healing. Generally speaking, to human body, organic compound could provide a better bioavailability than the inorganic ones. We thus hypothesize that taurine combined with copper would be a new therapeutic candidate for infected wound healing. We name the new compound copper-taurine (CT). Copper-taurine (CT) added into the wound dressings would not only reduce the risk of wound infection, but, more importantly, would stimulate wound repair directly. The sustained release of copper and taurine from the wound dressings into the wound site would together facilitate the wound healing more potently. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.