Dinamics of skin wound healing with the use of injectable regeneration stimulators in rats

Abstract

The issue of effective and aesthetic wound healing, particularly, in mature and elderly individuals, remains relevant. Aim. To characterize the dynamics of skin wound healing in mature experimental rats and to compare the effectiveness of approved clinical injectable stimulants of regeneration (deproteinized hemoderivative of calf blood and collagen). Methods. This experimental blind study was conducted on 9-month-old Wistar male rats weighing 443.6±6.5 g. Square wounds of a standardized size (each side, 11 mm; wound depth, down to fascia; mean area, 123.5 ± 2.1 mm²) were inflicted on the rat back. Efficacy and mechanism of action of two injectable drugs were studied for 14 days. Effects of deproteinized hemoderivative of calf blood (DHB, Actovegin) and collagen (Collost) were compared with control wounds (saline treatment). The wound size and volume and the state of microcirculation were evaluated in dynamics. Results. The area of the wounds decreased by 9.1% at 7 days and 80% at 14 days in the control group; by 28.6% and 88%, respectively, in the DHB group; and by 33.3% and 91.6%, respectively, in the collagen group. In the control and DHA groups, the wound healing was predominantly horizontal while in the collagen group is was vertical. An increase in the wound area in the phase of acute inflammation during the first 3-5 days was observed only in the control and DHB groups; this increase was localized perpendicular to skin tension lines. This indicates the importance of preoperative planning not only for the lines and directions of surgical incisions and suturing but also for the subsequent treatment of wounds. Microcirculation in the skin immediately adjacent to the wound edge increased on day 3 only in the DHB group; in the collagen group, it increased on day 7; and on day 14, it was increased in all wounds of all groups with the greatest vascular effect being observed in the collagen group. Conclusion. Both regeneration stimulants were effective; however, the wound healing patterns and rates were different, which might be due to different mechanisms of action of the drugs. This fact should be taken into account in clinical practice in order to reduce the regeneration time as well as to reduce the size and aesthetics of postoperative scar.