| UNIVERSITY
NEWS - NOVEMBER 2003
MEDIA CONTACT: Terrence S. McGrath
954-861-6416, tmcgrath@hydron.com or Aileen Izquierdo
561-297-2442, izquierd@fau.edu
FAU and Hydron Release Wound Healing Study Results
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (November 21, 2003) -- Scientists at Florida Atlantic University and Hydron Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: HTEC - news) released findings that skin cells exposed to a new technology created by Hydron using oxygenated microbubbles showed significant increases in the production of proteins, which help in stimulating wound healing.
Hydron has made another major step forward with this research, said Terrence McGrath, said Hydrons chief operating officer. By examining the effects of tissue oxygenation at the cellular level, Hydron is establishing that delivering high levels of oxygen through microbubble laden fluids contributes to positively affect medical treatments for wounds, burns and numerous other skin conditions.
Two studies were conducted in FAUs Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Biomedical Sciences department by Drs. Peter Lutz and Howard Prentice who are recognized experts on cells in low oxygen environments. The first study was designed to determine cell viability when exposed to Hydrons super-oxygenated fluids. In the report, they recorded that when skin cells were cultured in the presence or absence of oxygenated microbubbles, oxygenated microbubble exposure, had no toxic or negative effect on cell survival.
In the second study, the investigators also carried out an investigation on levels of specialized proteins called HSPs which are induced in cells under wide variety of stress conditions and are important for cell survival in many clinical disorders. In studies on wound healing, it has been found that these specialized proteins at the site of wounds improve healing. The study showed that using oxygen-laden microbubbles, increased the HSP levels in the skin cells. When combined with the findings of the cell viability study, it is determined that Hydrons technology allows cell survival.
This is exactly the type of relationship that is important to foster for both FAU and our regional industries, said Kevin Petrovsky, director of development for the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. The outstanding research faculty, graduate students and laboratory facilities in the College play a vital role in the growth and development of south Floridas biotechnology, biomedical and other scientific industries. We will continue to foster regional and national partnerships that support companies, further scientific discovery and define south Florida as a world class research destination.
The studies, considered a catalyst for additional cellular-level research and will establish parameters on new products and treatments, according to Hydron. The company has recently concluded a private placement financing to accelerate its research program and development of viable products.
-FAU-
Hydron Technologies, Inc. markets a broad range of personal care products and is committed to the research and development of products and medical applications associated with its proprietary tissue oxygenation technology. The Company markets its skin care products through Hydron's direct-to-consumer catalog and on the Internet at www.hydron.com. Catalogs are available by calling 1-800-4-HYDRON (1-800-449-3766). Except for historical information, all of the expectations and assumptions contained in the foregoing are forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. For additional information regarding the risks associated with the Company's business, refer to Hydron Technologies, Inc. reports filed with the SEC.
SOURCE: Hydron Technologies, Inc.
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