People with chronic diabetic foot ulcers may soon have a new way to help their wounds heal faster.
A new study from Michigan State University and South Shore Hospital has found that using two common diabetes drugs together—insulin and metformin—can speed up the healing process.
This is good news for the 18.6 million people around the world, including 1.6 million in the U.S., who suffer from diabetic foot ulcers, also known as DFUs.
In the study, researchers found that when patients take both insulin (given as an injection) and metformin (taken by mouth), more metformin shows up at the site of the wound. Since metformin has already been shown to help wounds heal faster, the combination could improve recovery and help people spend less time in the hospital.
The research was led by Dr. Morteza Mahmoudi, a professor at Michigan State University, and Dr. Lisa Gould, a plastic surgeon and wound care expert at South Shore Hospital.
While examining fluids collected from foot wounds, the researchers made a surprising discovery. They found metformin in the wound fluid—something that had never been seen before. “We noticed metformin in the wound fluid, which has never been observed before,” said Dr. Mahmoudi.
Before this, studies had not shown a clear link between insulin and metformin in the healing of wounds. But this new research suggests that insulin might help metformin reach the wound more easily, giving the body a better chance to heal.
“This discovery could change how doctors treat chronic wounds,” said Dr. Mahmoudi. “For patients with foot ulcers, the combination of insulin and metformin could be very useful.”
Dr. Mahmoudi also said the finding is important for designing better wound dressings. Fluids from wounds can interact with dressings and affect how well they work. “It’s essential to consider these interactions to ensure the dressings are safe and effective,” he explained.
This study may help create better treatments for people with diabetic foot ulcers. Faster healing means fewer problems and better quality of life for patients.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about the cooking connection between potatoes and diabetes, and low calorie diets may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about protein power: a new ally in diabetes management, and pineapple and diabetes: A sweet surprise.
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