Of Thailand’s 4 million diabetics, 40,000 lose their feet to ulceration every year.

Research leader Dr Narongchai Yingsakmongkol said treatment was with the German drug Immunokine (WF10) given intravenously via saline injection for 4-6 hours a day for five days. If there is no improvement in a week, the treatment is repeated, whereupon most patients see a reduction of inflammation and the regrowth of flesh and blood vessels.

The breakdown of WF10 produces oxygen, stimulating white blood cells around the ulcers to eliminate germs and dead skin. The ulcers generally heal in two months. Narongchai said it cost about Bt20,000 per course and the only side effect was slight anaemia.

This is a new application for WF10, which is usually used against chronic inflammation in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. -

The Nation/Asia News Network