Effects of Dimethylsulfoxide on Normal and Burned Dog Skin

Abstract

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) , an alkyl sulfoxide, is a powerful solvent derived from a waste product of paper manufacture. Its properties and the clinical problems for which it has been tried have been described in a comprehensive review ( 1).Experimentally and clinically DMSO has been reported to penetrate skin rapidly and to cause no permanent tissue damage even in high concentrations (2). Effects on the collagen of the dermis have been claimed in the treatment of several dermatoses-psoriasis, scleroderma, keloids, radiation fibrosis, and eczema (3-5)-suggesting that a t least abnormal collagen is affected by DMSO.Burn therapy with DMSO has received only limited attention. DMSO alone and combined with Sulfamylon was applied intermittently in the treatment of partial and fullthickness burns in rats (6). Penetration of the eschar by DMSO was theoretically demonstrated by the addition of methylene blue. There was no increase in survival rates nor decrease in Pseudomonas organisms (7). Rabbit skin placed in DMSO for 24 hr produced skin that could be penetrated easily with a finger, indicating destruction (8). Tensile strength of rat tail tendons treated for 24 hr with varied concentrations of DMSO decreased when a concentration of 95% or higher was used. I t was concluded DMSO changed the physical properties of eollagen by causing lysis of its intermolecular bonds.With this background and because dried collagen from tendon swelled markedly in DMSO, we wondered if DMSO could alter the susceptibility of collagen to digestion by proteolytic enzymes that ordinarily did not attack it. By definition, only collagenase digests sclerocollagen while trypsin and similar pro-teolytic enzymes can digest collagen only after it is denatured. Here we have investigated the effect of DMSO on the tensile strength of normal and burned dog skin and on the capacity of proteolytic enzymes other than collagenase to digest both. Partially denatured beef tendon collagen is also used.Methods and Materials. Large swatches of fresh skin were excised from the abdomen of a dead dog and were mechanically defatted.Several 12 X 6 cm pieces were cut and burned to full thickness by passing them through a bunsen burner flame for 15 sec with the keratin side toward the flame. Sections of both burned and normal skin were then totally immersed in 50% and 100% DMSO at room temperature for 24 hr. All skin was then fashioned into 8 X 1-cm strips with small triangles cut from the middle of the long sides to leave a central isthmus of 3 mm. Their tensile strengths were tested on a Scott Tester, Model X-3,l with special clamps for holding the skin. To correlate anatomical changes, specimens of normal and normal treated, and burned untreated and treated were examined for microscopic differences after coloring with hematoxolin and eosin stain.The enzyme study was initiated by determining the effect of varied concentrations of DMSO on the activity of elastase and trypsin against substrates that they do attack. One milligram of elastase (Worthington) in 0.1 % concent...

Resolution of iatrogenic calcinosis cutis in a dog through topical application of DMSO

“…Systemic corticoids were progressively removed, and the authors proceeded with 90 per cent DMSO washes every other day in the affected areas due to its anti‐inflammatory properties 4. This resulted in the remission of cutaneous symptoms within two months.…”

Ergotamine Gangrene in Various Inflammatory Conditions

“…It is known that by the lysis of intermolccular bonds concentrated (80-100%) DMSO renders collagen soluble and digestable to proteolytic enzymes (not only collagenase) [Middleton et al, 1970].…”