The method of treating impaired wound healing in diabetics comprises the step of administering an effective amount of a glycogen synthase kinase 3-β (GSK-3β) inhibitor to a diabetic patient in need thereof to activate the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and genes downstream of Nrf2 that normally regulate the expression and coordination of antioxidant responses during wound healing, but are suppressed in the diabetic patient undergoing the oxidative stress that can occur during wound healing. The GSK-3β inhibitor may be lithium or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or TDZD-8 (4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione). The method may further comprise the step of testing the diabetic patient for the presence of oxidative stress and decreased Nrf2, which enables the early or prophylactic treatment of the patient with a GSK-3β inhibitor when the patient first presents with a wound, rather than waiting for other symptoms of impaired wound healing to occur.
