Influence of protein malnutrition on cutaneous wound healing in rats

Abstract

Objective Investigate histological changes related to inflammatory response and collagen expression during wound healing in rats with protein malnutrition. Methods Twenty male Wistar rats underwent cutaneous surgery and were divided into two experimental groups: Malnourished (8% casein diet); Nourished (17% casein diet). Animals were euthanized after 5th and 10th days, descriptive and quantitative analyses were performed on sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin and sirius red, respectively. Statistical analysis of data using nonparametric Fisher's exact test with p<0.05 was carried out. Results At five days, increased fibroblast proliferation (p<0.01) and collagen expression (p<0.05) was observed in N5 group. After ten days, N10 and MN10 animals showed higher amount of granulation tissue and edema/inflammatory infiltrate independent of nutritional status (p>0.05), only N10 group showed fibroblast proliferation (p<0.01) and increased collagen expression (p<0.01). Conclusion Protein malnutrition seems not to influence inflammatory phase of healing, whereas it negatively effects fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis.

Use of Specific Supplementation for Healing in Surgical Wounds: Case Report

“…Tissue repair generates an increase in caloric and protein demand, as well as a greater need for some micronutrients, amino acids acquired at the expense of muscle catabolism, therefore, greater consumption of energy and nutrients are necessary during tissue repair [12][13].…”

“…In the case report, it was observed that after 5 days of the intervention there was a decrease in the devitalized tissue and after 48 days there was a reduction in the depth of the wound. A study that evaluated the effects of a specialized oral nutritional supplement containing arginine and proline, vitamins A, C and E, zinc and selenium, on the repair of difficult-to-heal wounds, observed a significant reduction in wound surface area [11][12][13].…”