Effects of Topical Tetracycline in Wound Healing on Experimental Diabetes in Rats

A common complication of diabetes is impaired wound healing. Systemic tetracycline improves healing in diabetics, but causes adverse side affects. There are no informations regarding topical tetracyclin use. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical tetracycline on wound healing. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by alloxan use. The control group comprised age-matched animals not submitted to alloxan injection. Diabetic state was confirmed by glycosuria and hyperglycemia. Under tribromoethanol anesthesia, four skin wounds (4mm diameter), were performed on shaved dorsal area (2 each side of median line). Topical tetracycline was applied daily only on both wounds on right side of median line. Animals were sacrificed on day 3 or 7 after surgery and tissue samples were prepared and observed under light microscopy. Histological, histometric and stereological methods were used for analysis. RESULTS: Topical tetracycline accelerated wound closure in diabetic compared to nondiabetic rats. No expressive effects were observed in controls. CONCLUSION: Topical tetracycline could be helpful in diabetics, in order to improve the wound healing process avoiding possible adverse effects from systemic medication. Furthermore, there was no indication that tetracycline improoves wound healing on controls.