The effect of dacarbazine on wound healing

The effects of dacarbazine on wound healing were studied in an animal model. Sixty rats were divided into four groups. Each animal received a standard dorsal midline wound on day 0. Group 1 was injected with normal saline and acted as control; group 2 received 4 mg/kg of dacarbazine daily on days -3, -2, -1 (preoperative); group 3 received dacarbazine on days +1, +2, +3 (perioperatively); and group 4 received dacarbazine on days +5, +6, +7 (postoperatively). Wound bursting strength (WBS) was measured on days +7, +14, and +21. There was a significant decrease in WBS in experimental animals in groups 3 and 4 (perioperative and postoperative administration) compared to control animals, but no significant effect of preoperative dacarbazine on WBS in experimental animals (group 2). It is suggested that these effects are mediated through the late inflammatory phase of wound healing.