The Experimantal Studey of Delayed Wound Healing on Full-Thickness Skin Defects in Diabetic Rats

Rho, You Hwan; Park, Heung Sik; Yoon, Chin Ho; Kim, Han Joong

Abstract

Wound healing was a natural process proceeded by connective tissue deposition, epithelialization, and wound contracture. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus was known to impair wound healing. However, the extend of delayed wound healing was not evaluate objectively in the diabetic rats. Therefore, we studied the extend of delayed wound healing(epithelialization and wound contracture) and histologic difference between diabetic and control rats. Twenty adult Sprague-Dawley rats(200-250 gm) were used as experimental animals(Diabetes: 10 rats, control: 10 rats). The wounds(2 x 2 cm, sized) were made on the back of the rats by excision through the panniculus carnosus. The areas of both wounds in relation to original wound areas (operative day) were serially measured at 0, 1,2, 3, 4, 5 weeks postoperatively. In addition, we performed histological examination of biopsy taken at 0, 1,2, 3, 4, 5weeks postoperatively. The difference in the mean area ratio between two groups was then compared using Kruskal Wallis test(SAS Program). Results were as follows: At postoperative 1 week, there was a significant difference(p < 0.05) in degree of epithelialization between the two groups, 1) After postoperative 2 weeks, there was a significant difference(p<0.05) in degree of wound contracture between the two groups. 2) In the diabetic group, the collagen fibers were smaller and poor organized than control group. Conclusion was that delay of epithelialization early and delay of wound contracture late in wound healing, were important roles in diabetic wound problem.