Measurement of cytokines (IL-1*) after shear force application at the skin

A pressure ulcer is localized tissue injury to the superficial layer of the
skin and/ or the underlying tissue. Pressure ulcers are most likely to develop
in skin areas exposed to pressure, shear and friction. Shear- force is an
important contributing factor and wound dressing are possibly capable to reduce
shear force at the skin. At this moment there's nog good marker to detect the
effect of shear- force at the skin. A potential marker could be cytokines
(IL-1*) which are released after mechanical loading of the skin. A previous
studie have shown a significant increased level of IL-1* after the application
of pressure. We want to investigate if these cytokines are significant
increased after the application of shear- force at the skin.

The objective of this studie is to gather knowledge about cytokine
concentrations (IL-1 *) in the skin of healthy volunteers after the application
of shear- force. We want to use this knowledge in the future to investigate if
different prophylactic wound dressings are capable to reduce shear force at the
skin. This could be interesting in the prevention of pressure ulcers.

With the use of a special developed shear- force model are we going to
administer 19 Newton (2 kg) shear at the palmar side of the under arm in 10
healthy volunteers. As a control we ware going to put the shear- force model at
the other arm without the application of shear- force. Before the use of the
shear- force model we will mark an area of 2,5 cm by 3 cm in the centre where
the shear pad is going to be placed and perform cytokine measurements with the
use of Sebutape in this area. Sebutape is capable to absorp cytokines from the
skin. After that we will measure the bloodflow with lasserdoppler (MoorLDI2)
and the erythema index with the use of a colorimeter (DSMII Colormeter). After
the use of the shear force- model we will perform cytokine, bloodflow and
erythema index measurements again.
At another research day, we follow the same procedure but this time we are
going to apply 15 minutes shear and 15 minutes pressure instead of 30 minutes.
Then we will extract the cytokines from the Sebutape with the use of ELISA.

There's no risk involved for the healthy volunteers, because the shear- force
in normal life can range between 0- 100 N. We will only administer 19 N which
is much lower. We will work with healthy volunteers with a low risk on the
development of pressure ulcers.