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Updated: May 4, 2026
A Protocol for Constructing a Rat Wound Model of Type 1 Diabetes
Published on: February 17, 2023
Effect of transforming growth factor Beta 1 on wound healing in induced diabetic rats
Hanaa El Gazaerly1, Dorria M Elbardisey2, Heba M Eltokhy2
1Department of Maxillofacial Surgery & Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Qassim University.
Objective:
Delayed wound healing is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus, exhibited by profound inflammation and decreased granulation tissues. The current study was carried out to evaluate wound healing in both normal and diabetic rats. In addition, it evaluated the potential protective effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF β1), that has the broadest spectrum of actions, affecting all cell types that are involved in all stages of wound healing to accelerate wound healing in normal & diabetic rats.
Methods:
: The present study was performed on 40 male albino rats. Each 10 rats were designed as a group. Group I saved as control. They received incisional wound in their tongues 1 cm length and 1/2 cm depth. Group II received 500 ng/kg of TGF β1 5 minutes before wounding. Group III diabetes was induced then rats were treated as second group. At the 14(th) day post wounding, sections of tongues were taken for hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichome staining to examine the histological changes. The intracellular actions of TGF β1 were studied by TEM.
Results:
A higher cell proliferation rate and a denser and more organized new extracellular matrix and complete wound closure was detected at the 14(th) days in the TGF β1 treated wound in comparison with the 14(th) days for the untreated, control groups. There were delayed wound healing in diabetic rats, decreased re-epithelialization, granulation tissue thickness, matrix density, number of infiltrated cells, and number of capillaries. In TGF β1 treated diabetic rats, showed significant healing improvement was obvious as compared with diabetic rats.
Conclusions:
A single intravenous injection of TGF β1 was sufficient to enhance wound healing in rat's tongue. This approach represents a new strategy that may be applied to the treatment of incisional wounds in human diabetic patients.
Insights
Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF β1) significantly accelerates wound healing in diabetic rats by improving cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. This study suggests TGF β1 as a potential therapeutic strategy for diabetic wound complications.
Area of Science:
- Wound healing research
- Diabetic complications
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Delayed wound healing is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by inflammation and poor tissue formation.
- Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF β1) influences all stages of wound healing and cell types involved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate wound healing in normal and diabetic rats.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of TGF β1 in accelerating wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Incisional wounds were created in the tongues of 40 male albino rats, divided into control and TGF β1-treated groups.
- Diabetes was induced in a subset of rats, with some receiving TGF β1 treatment.
- Histological analysis (H&E, Masson's trichrome) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to examine healing at 14 days.
Main Results:
- TGF β1 treatment enhanced cell proliferation, extracellular matrix organization, and complete wound closure in normal rats.
- Diabetic rats exhibited delayed healing, with reduced re-epithelialization, granulation tissue, and vascularization.
- TGF β1 treatment significantly improved wound healing in diabetic rats compared to untreated controls.
Conclusions:
- A single intravenous TGF β1 injection effectively enhanced tongue wound healing in rats.
- This approach shows promise as a novel strategy for treating incisional wounds in diabetic patients.
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