Pressure sores are painful wounds that develop when people sit or lie in one position too long. Doctors know that good nutrition helps wounds heal, but many patients with pressure sores also have kidney problems that make high-protein diets risky. Researchers discovered that certain amino acids (building blocks of protein) are often low in people with pressure sores. In a small study, patients who took a special supplement containing three specific amino acids showed significant improvement in their pressure sores after six weeks compared to those who didn’t take it. While these results are promising, larger studies are needed to confirm the findings.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a special supplement containing three amino acids (histidine, tryptophan, and threonine) could help pressure sores heal better than standard care alone
  • Who participated: Patients with pressure sores, though the exact number of participants wasn’t specified in the abstract. Some had chronic kidney disease, which limited their ability to eat high-protein foods
  • Key finding: After six weeks, patients taking the amino acid supplement showed statistically significant reduction in pressure ulcer size compared to patients who didn’t receive it
  • What it means for you: This suggests a new, kidney-friendly option for helping pressure sores heal, but it’s still early research. If you have pressure sores and kidney problems, talk to your doctor about whether this approach might help you—don’t start any supplement without medical guidance

The Research Details

This was a pilot study, which means it was a small, early-stage test of a new idea. The researchers used a quasi-experimental design, comparing patients who received the amino acid supplement to a control group that didn’t receive it. The supplement, called Pellicar-F, contained three specific amino acids in forms that are easy for the body to use: histidine (as carnosine), tryptophan, and threonine. Patients took daily doses for six weeks, and researchers measured changes in pressure ulcer size.

The study was motivated by an important observation: blood tests of pressure ulcer patients showed they had lower-than-normal levels of these three amino acids. The researchers also noted that stress increases the body’s need for these amino acids while slowing down wound healing—a double problem for people with pressure sores.

This research approach matters because it addresses a real clinical problem: many pressure ulcer patients can’t tolerate standard high-protein supplements due to kidney disease. By targeting specific amino acids that are naturally low in these patients, researchers developed a potentially safer alternative. The pilot study design allows researchers to test whether the approach works before investing in larger, more expensive studies.

This is a pilot study, which is an early-stage test. The sample size wasn’t specified, which is a limitation. The quasi-experimental design (comparing two groups but not randomly assigning people) is less rigorous than a randomized controlled trial. However, the study did show statistically significant results, meaning the improvements were unlikely to be due to chance. More research with larger groups and stronger study designs is needed to confirm these findings.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that patients receiving the amino acid supplement (Pellicar-F) showed statistically significant reduction in pressure ulcer area after six weeks compared to the control group. This means the wounds got smaller in the treatment group more than in the comparison group, and this difference was large enough that it probably wasn’t due to luck.

The significance of this finding is that it suggests these three amino acids may play an important role in wound healing. The fact that pressure ulcer patients naturally have low levels of these amino acids supports the idea that supplementing them could help the body heal better.

The six-week timeframe is also meaningful—it’s long enough to see real healing progress but short enough to be practical for a pilot study. This gives researchers confidence that the effect is real and worth investigating further.

While the abstract doesn’t detail secondary findings, the research implies that this supplement approach could be particularly valuable for patients with kidney disease who cannot tolerate standard high-protein nutritional support. The fact that the supplement worked despite being lower in total protein suggests that the specific amino acids matter more than protein quantity for this application.

Current standard recommendations for pressure ulcer healing include high-protein supplements plus additives like zinc, vitamin C, and arginine. This new approach differs by focusing on three specific amino acids that are naturally depleted in pressure ulcer patients. The research builds on previous findings showing that stress increases the body’s demand for these particular amino acids. This study is one of the first to test whether supplementing these specific amino acids could improve pressure ulcer healing in humans.

The study has several important limitations. First, the sample size wasn’t specified, which makes it harder to know how reliable the results are. Second, it used a quasi-experimental design rather than a randomized controlled trial, meaning patients weren’t randomly assigned to groups, which could introduce bias. Third, this is a pilot study—an early test—so the findings need to be confirmed in larger, more rigorous studies. Finally, the abstract doesn’t provide details about how long improvements lasted or whether there were any side effects.

The Bottom Line

Based on this pilot study, the evidence is promising but preliminary (confidence level: low to moderate). The recommendation would be for further research in larger patient populations. For individual patients: Do not self-treat with amino acid supplements without consulting your healthcare provider, especially if you have kidney disease. If you have pressure sores and kidney problems, ask your doctor whether participating in future studies of this supplement might be appropriate for you.

This research is most relevant to: (1) People with pressure sores who also have kidney disease and can’t tolerate high-protein diets, (2) Healthcare providers treating pressure ulcers, (3) Researchers studying wound healing and nutrition. People without pressure sores don’t need to act on this information. People with pressure sores but normal kidney function should continue following their doctor’s current recommendations until more research is available.

In this study, significant improvements appeared within six weeks. However, individual results vary. If this supplement becomes available and recommended by your doctor, you should expect to wait at least 4-6 weeks to see meaningful improvement. Some people may see changes sooner or later. Don’t expect overnight results—wound healing is a gradual process.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If prescribed by a healthcare provider, track weekly measurements of pressure ulcer size (length × width in centimeters) and photograph the wound weekly under consistent lighting conditions. Note any changes in pain, drainage, or skin color around the ulcer. Record supplement adherence (did you take it every day?) to correlate with healing progress.
  • The practical change would be: Take the prescribed amino acid supplement at the same time each day (set a phone reminder). Combine this with pressure relief strategies (changing position every 2 hours, using pressure-relieving cushions) and proper wound care as directed by your healthcare team. Track your compliance in the app to identify patterns.
  • Create a weekly wound assessment routine: measure ulcer dimensions, take photos, note pain level (1-10 scale), and record any signs of infection. Set monthly check-in reminders with your healthcare provider to review progress. If you’re not seeing improvement after 4-6 weeks, discuss with your doctor whether to continue or adjust the approach. Keep a log of any side effects or concerns to discuss with your medical team.

This research describes a pilot study with preliminary findings. The supplement discussed (Pellicar-F) is not yet widely available or approved for pressure ulcer treatment. Do not start any amino acid supplement or change your diet without consulting your healthcare provider, especially if you have kidney disease, take medications, or have other health conditions. Pressure ulcers require professional medical care. This information is educational only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor or wound care specialist. Always discuss new treatments with your healthcare team before trying them.