Abstract: A method of establishing a therapeutic window of wound fluid nitric oxide (WFNO) in the wound of a mammal, the method including: obtaining a wound fluid sample from a mammal; analyzing the WFNO level; determining whether the WFNO is at or below a lower threshold level, or is at or above an upper threshold level; wherein the lower threshold level and upper threshold level define the therapeutic window of WFNO; and treating the mammal with a substance that alters the WFNO level such that the therapeutic window of WFNO in the wound is established.

Abstract: Wound healing is impaired in many diabetics, who suffer increased risk of chronic foot ulceration and amputation. Diabetic patients with poor healing ability were found to possess significantly lower fasting urinary nitrate levels than diabetic patients with normal healing ability or non-diabetic controls, implicating decreased endogenous nitric oxide activity as the mediator of diabetes-impaired wound healing. Methods and kits are provided for predicting the wound healing ability of diabetic patients and patients with venous stasis ulceration or another disease or condition characterized by chronically impaired cutaneous wound healing in some patients based on the levels of nitric oxide related products such as nitrate or nitrite in urine or other specimens. Methods are also provided for treating non-wound healing patients and monitoring diabetic ulcer treatment.

Abstract: Wound healing is impaired in many diabetics, who suffer increased risk of chronic foot ulceration and amputation. Diabetic patients with poor healing ability were found to possess significantly lower fasting urinary nitrate levels than diabetic patients with normal healing ability or non-diabetic controls, implicating decreased endogenous nitric oxide activity as the mediator of diabetes-impaired wound healing. Methods and kits are provided for predicting the wound healing ability of diabetic patients based on the levels of nitric oxide related products such as nitrate or nitrite in urine or other specimens. Methods are also provided for treating non-wound healing diabetics and monitoring diabetic ulcer treatment.