Sweet find for patients; HEALTH: Diabetics at city hospital given sugar to treat infected wounds after pioneering work.

Byline: Alison Dayani

DIABETIC patients at a Birmingham hospital have been treated with sugar as a natural and cheap way to heal infected wounds.

It comes after Birmingham University researchers discovered sugar cane was able to heal wounds where medicine had failed, without affecting insulin levels.

Scientist Moses Muranduinto led the study into the healing effects of sugar and is hoping the research could now shape the healthcare of the future.

He has already treated 21 willing patients at Selly Oak Hospital this year as part of his work.

The Zimbabwe-born researcher said the breakthrough comes down to sugar having a higher osmolarity, which means it can dissolve more particles.

Mr Muranduinto said: "Sugar prevents the microorganisms growing by absorbing water and therefore preventing bacteria from feeding off the tissue underneath.

"Sugar is readily available and relatively cost-effective.

"Medicines are so expensive that the implications of having a treatment like this that can be used in the developing world is hugely exciting."

He added that sugar treatment seemed to work better on diabetic patients.

The sugar is sterilized, packed and sealed, but otherwise normal granulated sugar is used.

The more that is applied, the quicker the results and it even kills any unpleasant smells that often accompany serious wounds.

With these initial findings from the pilot study, Moses will now begin a wider study, after winning a pounds 25,000 grant.

CAPTION(S):

Research: Moses Muranduinto.