Wound healing in denervated rat groin skin flap

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of denervation on dermal wound healing in rat groin skin flaps for 1-10 weeks. The structural differences between wounds in normal and in denervated skin were investigated histologically using Herovici's staining. Pro alpha1(I) collagen mRNA levels were studied using Northern hybridization. Denervation and reinnervation of the skin flaps was demonstrated with quantitative noradrenaline determination and immunohistochemically using neurofilament and S-100 antibodies. Denervation of the skin did not seem to have any apparent effects on wound healing as assessed by light microscopy. There were no significant differences in pro alpha1(I) collagen mRNA levels either. The thin muscle layer underlying the skin was the only element that clearly responded to the denervation.