Topical amiloride delays healing of deep thermal wounds in albino rabbits

The present investigation was undertaken to explore the ulcer healing properties of three dosage schedules of different strengths of topically administered amiloride solution in thermally produced skin ulcers on the side of the midline on the back of the rabbits. Four circular thermal burns about 4.0 cm in diameter (two on either side of the midline) were made 4.0 cm apart on the pre shaved back of each anaesthetized (with thiopentone sod., 45 mg/kg, ip) rabbit with a heated template, applied for 30 sec. Three days later under anaesthesia, the burns were excised removing epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The animals were randomly divided into various groups. Ulcers on one side of the midline were treated with normal saline and served as control, whereas those on the other side were treated with amiloride solutions. Each ulcer was observed for its size, slough formation and any sign of irritation on alternate days until healing was complete. Healing of ulcers were significantly delay in comparison to control group with all the strength of amiloride (0.02%, 0.5% and 1%) in all the dosage schedule (o.d., b.i.d. and q.i.d.) in terms of days required for complete healing (except with b.i.d. dosage schedule of 0.5% & q.i.d. dosage schedule of 1% amiloride solution), ulcer size and area under the size time curve (except with b.i.d. &q.i.d. dosage schedule of 1% amiloride solution). Thus, it is concluded that unlike mechanical ulcers topical amiloride delays wound repair in deep burn lesions.