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Wound Healing Delay in the ZDSD Rat.
Mark A Suckow1, Troy A Gobbett2, Richard G Peterson2
1Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, U.S.A. msuckowd@umn.edu.
In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|January 9, 2017
Summary
The Zucker diabetic Sprague Dawley (ZDSD) rat effectively models diet-induced obesity and diabetes, showing delayed wound healing. This suggests metabolic factors, not just diabetes, impact healing in this animal model.
Area of Science:
- Comparative pathology
- Animal models of disease
- Wound healing research
Background:
- Diabetic delayed wound healing necessitates reliable animal models.
- The Zucker diabetic Sprague Dawley (ZDSD) rat is a validated model for diet-induced obesity and diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the Zucker diabetic Sprague Dawley (ZDSD) rat's utility as a model for diabetes- and obesity-related delayed wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Groups of ZDSD and Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were fed a diabetogenic diet.
- Diabetes was confirmed by blood glucose levels (>300 mg/dl).
- Full-thickness excisional skin wounds were created, with measurements taken on days 1, 4, 7, 9, and 11.
Main Results:
- Diabetic ZDSD rats exhibited significantly higher blood glucose levels compared to non-diabetic ZDSD and SD rats.
- Wound healing was significantly delayed in ZDSD rats (both diabetic and non-diabetic) compared to SD rats by day nine.
- Histological analysis revealed fibroblast cells, collagen deposition, and macrophages in all wound groups.
Conclusions:
- The ZDSD rat serves as a suitable model for studying delayed wound healing in the context of diabetes and obesity.
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome appear to be significant contributors to delayed wound healing, independent of hyperglycemia.

