The tetrachlorodecaoxygen complex reverses the effect of cortisone on wound healing

Immunosuppression induced by the administration of glucocorticoids will prevent normal wound contraction and normal increases in tensile strength. Vitamin A, anabolic steroids, and growth hormone will, in the presence of glucocorticoids, restore mesenchymal cell proliferation, the accumulation of collagen, and the rate of increase of wound tensile strength. They will not, however, antagonize the inhibition of wound contraction. A novel inorganic agent, the tetrachlorodecaoxygen anion complex (TCDO), known to enhance the migration and activation of macrophages, was tested in a rat model of impaired wound healing using high doses of glucocorticoids. Histology, changes in wound contraction, collagen synthesis, and tensile strength were evaluated. Animals receiving cortisone in combination with TCDO displayed markedly enhanced wound healing, including restoration of tensile strength, collagen synthesis, and wound contraction. The results indicate that TCDO could be a potential agent of wound healing in immunosuppressed patients and anergic wounds.