Abstract
Summary
We have studied the influence of local application of anti-inflammatory substances on the tensile strength of skin wounds (WTS) in rats at 3, 9 and 15 days after wounding. These time intervals permitted observation of interference with any or all of the 3 phases of healing: The substrate phase (acute inflammation), the collagen phase and the scar phase. Methylprednisolone was more inhibitory than hydrocortisone acetate during the substrate phase while the reverse was true during the scar phase. The 2 steroids were equipotent during the collagen phase. Cortisone acetate reduced WTS only at a high dose where systemic absorption and transformation to hydrocortisone might have occurred. Of the non-steroidal substances tested only acetylsalicylic acid interfered with healing and this effect was restricted to the collagen and scar phases. Indomethacin and phenylbutazone were without effect on wound healing in non-toxic doses. Thus, although wounding the skin elicits a sequence of responses typical of those observed in many types of inflammation, these responses may either be totally uninfluenced or selectively suppressed by local application of various anti-inflammatory substances. Tests of this type may be usefijl in selecting anti-inflammatory compounds which have minimal adverse effects on the healing process.
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