EVALUATION OF THE HEALING OF WOUNDS DRESSED WITH ZINC METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS (ZN-MOFS) IN DOGS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the healing of wounds dressed with Zn-MoF in dogs. The study was conducted on fifteen clinically healthy mongrel dogs. Each dog has bilateral cutaneous excisional wounds (2 × 2 cm 2 ). Right-side wounds were dressed with Zn-MOF dressing (treated wounds) under the effect of 1 mg/kg of xylazine HCL 2% and 10 mg/kg of ketamine HCL 5% , administered in one syringe intramuscularly (IM), while left-side wounds were dressed with normal saline (control group). Wounds were undergone to histopathological evaluation 7-, 15-, and 21-days post-wound induction (5 dogs each interval). Zn-MOF positively enhanced the re-epithelization of the wound area promoting the epidermal hyperplasia resulting in reduction of the wound size and epithelial gap that was completely closed and restored on day 21 post-wound induction. The control wounds were at a slower healing rate with time leaving epithelial gaps and did not completely close day 21 post-wound induction. Zn-MOF treated wounds’ dermis was pervaded with the inflammatory cells on day 7 post-wound induction that gradually reduced by time and replaced by fibroblasts 14- and 21-days post-wound induction. The dermis of control wounds was severely infiltrated with a larger number of inflammatory cells and excessive hemorrhage throughout the study. Zn-MOF treated wounds had an augment in the number and size of newly formed blood vessels in comparison to the control ones, reaching their highest point on day 14- and declining on day 21 post-wound induction. Collagen deposition increased obviously 21 days post-wounding in Zn-MOF treated wounds. Zn-MOF accelerated and enhanced the wound healing process and abundant granulation tissue formation in dogs.