Advanced Interventions in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

A Special Issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729) belonging to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 892

Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of General Surgery, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: general surgery; oncology; diabetic foot; sentinel lymph node biopsy; breast cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Medicine School, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
2. Surgical Department I, “Dr. I. Cantacuzino” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: general surgery; oncology; diabetic foot; peritoneal dialysis; colorectal surgery

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Medicine School, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
2. Surgical Department I, “Dr. I. Cantacuzino” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: general surgery; oncology; diabetic foot; colorectal surgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent one of the most severe and challenging complications of diabetes mellitus, often leading to infection, hospitalization, and, in the worst cases, lower limb amputation. Despite advances in glycemic control, preventive care and revascularization techniques, the burden of DFUs remains high worldwide, contributing significantly to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The complex pathophysiology of these ulcers—involving neuropathy, ischemia, and impaired wound healing—demands a multifaceted treatment approach.

In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the development of advanced therapeutic interventions aimed at promoting healing, preventing infection, and reducing amputation rates. These innovations include bioengineered skin substitutes, growth factor therapies, stem cell-based treatments, negative pressure wound therapy, and advanced revascularization techniques. Additionally, digital health technologies and precision medicine are emerging as valuable tools for optimizing patient outcomes.

We aim to explore a range of topics, including: novel wound healing technologies and the role of bioengineered skin substitutes. Additionally, the integration of telemedicine and artificial intelligence in monitoring and managing DFUs, highlight the potential for these technologies to enhance patient care.

We welcome a diverse array of submissions that explore cutting-edge research and clinical practices aimed at improving patient outcomes:

  • Original Research Articles: Studies that provide new insights into the pathophysiology of DFUs, including novel therapeutic agents and treatment modalities.
  • Review Articles: Comprehensive overviews that summarize current knowledge and emerging trends in DFU management, including the effectiveness of different intervention strategies.
  • Clinical Trials: Reports detailing the methodology and results of clinical trials evaluating new treatments or technologies for DFUs.

We hope this collection of articles will serve as a valuable resource for those involved in the care of patients with diabetic foot ulcers, ultimately contributing to improved healing rates and a better quality of life.

Dr. Florin Teodor Bobirca
Dr. Octavian Mihalache
Dr. Petronel Mustatea
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • diabetic foot
  • gangrene
  • ulcer
  • peripheral arterial disease
  • peripheral neuropathy
  • Charcot foot
  • negative pressure

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 357 KB  
Article
Discriminative Ability and Clinical Associations of Serum SIRT1, SIRT3, Apelin, and ELA in Patients with Diabetic Foot Infection
by Revşa Evin Canpolat-Erkan, Recep Tekin, Aysun Ekinci and Fırat Aşır
Life 2026, 16(5), 804; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16050804 - 12 May 2026
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Abstract
Background: Diabetic foot infection (DFI) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus associated with chronic inflammation, impaired wound healing, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Sirtuin (SIRT) signaling and the apelinergic system have been implicated in these processes. This study aimed to evaluate serum [...] Read more.
Background: Diabetic foot infection (DFI) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus associated with chronic inflammation, impaired wound healing, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Sirtuin (SIRT) signaling and the apelinergic system have been implicated in these processes. This study aimed to evaluate serum SIRT1, SIRT3, apelin, and elabela (ELA) levels in patients with DFI and to examine their cross-sectional associations with clinical indicators, inflammatory markers, osteomyelitis, and glycemic control. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 47 patients with DFI and 42 healthy controls. Serum biomarker levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical and laboratory data, including the infection component of the PEDIS classification, were recorded. Group comparisons, Spearman correlation analyses, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and logistic regression were performed. Results: Patients with DFI exhibited higher inflammatory and glycemic markers and lower hemoglobin and lipid levels compared with controls (p < 0.05). Serum SIRT1, SIRT3, apelin, and ELA levels were significantly lower in the DFI group and showed inverse correlations with HbA1c, PEDIS stage, disease duration, osteomyelitis, and inflammatory markers. Among these biomarkers, SIRT1 showed the highest discriminative ability within this cohort (AUC = 0.820). In an exploratory multivariable model, age and SIRT1 were independently associated with the presence of DFI. Conclusions: Serum SIRT1, SIRT3, apelin, and ELA levels were lower in patients with DFI and were associated with clinical and biochemical indicators of disease burden. Among these biomarkers, SIRT1 demonstrated the strongest discriminative ability within this cohort. These findings suggest that sirtuin signaling and the apelinergic system may be relevant in the biological context of DFI; however, they should be interpreted cautiously. The observed differences may reflect not only DFI but also underlying diabetes, glycemic burden, age, and systemic inflammation. Further prospective studies including appropriate diabetic comparator groups are required to clarify the clinical relevance and potential utility of these biomarkers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Interventions in Diabetic Foot Ulcers)
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