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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Demonstration of the Rat Ischemic Skin Wound Model
Published on: April 1, 2015
Simvastatin improves the healing of infected skin wounds of rats
Amália Cínthia Meneses do Rego1, Irami Araújo Filho, Bolívar P G L Damasceno
1Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Purpose:
This study explores the potential of the simvastatin to ameliorate inflammation and infection in open infected skin wounds of rats.
Methods:
Fourteen Wistar rats weighing 285 +/- 12g were used. The study was done in a group whose open infected skin wounds were treated with topical application of simvastatin microemulsion (SIM, n=7) and a second group with wounds treated with saline 0.9 % (SAL, n=7). A bacteriological exam of the wounds fluid for gram positive and gram negative bacteria, the tecidual expression of TNFá and IL-1â by immunohistochemical technique, and histological analysis by HE stain were performed.
Results:
The expression of TNFa could be clearly demonstrated in lower degree in skin wounds treated with simvastatin (668.6 +/- 74.7 ìm(2)) than in saline (2120.0 +/-327.1 ìm(2)). In comparison, wound tissue from SIM group displayed leukocyte infiltration significantly lower than that observed in SAL group (p<0.05). Culture results of the samples taken from wound fluid on fourth post treatment day revealed wound infection in only one rat of group simvastatin (SIM), where Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter sp were isolated. In the rats whose wounds were treated with saline (SAL), polymicrobial infection with more than 100,000 CFU/g was detected in all the wounds.
Conclusion:
In addition to its antiinflammatory properties, the protective effects of simvastatin in infected open skin wounds is able to reduce infection and probably has antibacterial action. The potential to treat these wounds with statins to ameliorate inflammation and infection is promising.
Insights
Simvastatin effectively reduced inflammation and bacterial infection in open skin wounds in rats. This suggests statins show promise for treating infected wounds by decreasing inflammatory markers and inhibiting bacterial growth.
Area of Science:
- Wound Healing Research
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Open infected skin wounds present significant clinical challenges.
- Inflammation and bacterial infection are key factors impeding wound healing.
- Statins, known for cholesterol-lowering, may possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of simvastatin in managing inflammation and infection in experimentally induced open skin wounds in rats.
- To evaluate the impact of topical simvastatin on key inflammatory markers and bacterial load.
- To explore the potential of simvastatin as an adjunct therapy for infected wounds.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats with open infected skin wounds were topically treated with simvastatin microemulsion or saline.
- Bacteriological examination of wound fluid was performed to identify bacterial pathogens.
- Immunohistochemical analysis assessed tissue expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β).
- Histological analysis using Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining evaluated tissue damage and inflammatory cell infiltration.
Main Results:
- Simvastatin treatment significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α compared to saline treatment (668.6 ± 74.7 µm² vs. 2120.0 ± 327.1 µm²).
- Leukocyte infiltration in wound tissue was significantly lower in the simvastatin group (p<0.05).
- Bacterial infection was observed in only one rat treated with simvastatin, whereas all saline-treated rats exhibited polymicrobial infections (>100,000 CFU/g).
Conclusions:
- Simvastatin demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects in infected skin wounds.
- Topical simvastatin reduces bacterial infection burden and may possess direct antibacterial activity.
- Statins represent a promising therapeutic avenue for ameliorating inflammation and infection in complex wound management.
