The effects of Losartan on abdominal wall fascial healing

Losartan, a commonly used angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) for blood pressure control, also impairs cutaneous wound healing. Our current study will analyze how Losartan affects wound healing in the muscle and fascia from both biomechanical and histological aspects.

A total of 26 Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into one control group (NS, N = 13) and one experimental group (LG, N = 13) to receive normal saline and 40 mg/kg of Losartan by way of gastric lavage, respectively. 7 days later, all animals were subjected to a 5 cm midline laparotomy. The fascia and skin were then closed with 4-0 prolene and 5-0 vicryl. 15 days postoperatively, the animals were sacrificed and the abdominal wall harvested for wound tensiometric test and histological analysis.

All 26 rats survived to the time of necropsy. Tensiometry detected significantly higher wound tensile strength in the NS group (1.6 ± 0.31 N/mm) than in the LG (1.3 ± 0.28 N/mm) group (p = 0.016). Transection histology with trichrome staining demonstrated higher degree of immature fibroplasia inside the wound in the LG group than in the NS group (p = <0.0001). The LG group also had larger incisional gaps than the NG group.

The antihypertensive drug, Losartan, retards wound healing in the abdominal fascia and reduces wound tensile strength in our rat model. Attention should be paid to the potential effects of various medications on fascial wound healing to guarantee optimal surgical outcomes.