Background:
Tacrolimus, for its activity on modulation of collagen production and
fibroblast activity, may have a role in the prevention of hypertrophic
scars.
Objectives:
Evaluate macroscopic, microscopic, metabolic, laboratory effects and side
effects of the use of topical tacrolimus ointment, in different
concentrations, in the prevention of hypertrophic scars.
Methods:
Twenty-two rabbits were submitted to the excision of 2 fragments of 1 cm of
each ear, 4 cm apart, down to cartilage. The left ear of the animals was
standardized as control and Vaseline applied twice a day. The right ear
received tacrolimus ointment, at concentrations of 0.1% on the upper wound
and 0.03% on the lower wound, also applied twice a day. Macroscopic,
microscopic, laboratory criteria and the animals' weight were evaluated
after 30 days of the experiment.
Results:
Wounds treated with tacrolimus, at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.03%, when
compared to control, showed a lower average degree of thickening (p = 0.048
and p <0.001, respectively). The average of scar thickness and
lymphocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil concentrations are lower in the
treated wounds compared to the control (p <0.001, p=0.022, p=0.007,
p=0.044, respectively). The mean concentration of lymphocytes is lower in
wounds treated with a higher concentration of the drug (p=0.01).
Study limitations:
experiment lasted only 30 days.
Conclusions:
Tacrolimus at the 2 concentrations evaluated reduced the severity of
inflammatory changes and positively altered the macroscopic aspect of the
scar in the short term. Its use was shown to be safe, with no evidence of
systemic or local adverse effects.
Oleoma is a non-allergic, foreign body type granulomatous reaction. It appears as response to oily exogenous substances injected to the dermis or subcutis for aesthetical purposes. Treatment for localized lesions is surgical. When they are multiple, steroids may show some result.Newer therapeutic possibilities are being introduced and colchicine constitutes an alternative that is financially accessible and safe in moderate doses for certain dermatological illnesses. We present two women with oleoma on the legs treated with oral colchicine. This option was due to the extension of the clinical picture, which would not have a good surgical outcome. There was significant improvement in one patient, while we had to interrupt the medication in the other because of side effects.
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