Sucrose octasulfate dressing shows promise as an option for treating neuro-ischemic diabetic foot ulcers. Results from a randomized, controlled, double-blinded, 20-week trial were published online December 20 in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Overall, neuroischemic ulcers constitute about 50% of total [diabetic foot] ulcers.

The potassium salt of sucrose octasulfate acts at the tissue level to inhibit excess matrix metalloproteinases, which impede wound healing by the degradation of growth factors and destruction of the extracellular matrix.