Dose-related effects of dexmedetomidine on wound healing: evaluating fibroblast activation, collagen synthesis, and...

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is known for extending the time of action and enhancing the analgesic efficacy of local anesthetics. However, its effects on surgical wound healing have not been comprehensively investigated.

This study aims to thoroughly examine the effects of subcutaneously administered Dex on wound healing in rats.

32 rats in total were randomly distributed into four groups: Control, 3 ml Saline (Group I), 5 μg/kg Dex (Group II), 30 μg/kg Dex (Group III), and 60 μg/kg Dex (Group IV). After the procedure, samples were collected from the surgical wound site on the 7th day. Several wound-healing-related parameters were measured, including arginase, collagen type I, hydroxyproline, Xaa-Pro dipeptidase/prolidase, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Additionally, the immunoreactivity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins was assessed to evaluate connective tissue cell proliferation and blood vessel development in the dermis.

Hydroxyproline (ng/ml) levels were significantly higher in Groups II, III, and IV compared to Group I. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the groups for Arginase (ng/ml), Collagen Type I (ng/ml), TGF-β1 (ng/L), and bFGF (ng/L) values. PCNA immunoreactivity was significantly higher in the 30 μg/kg group than in other groups. VEGF immunoreactivity was significantly higher in the 5 μg/kg group.

The subcutaneous administration of Dex did not negatively impact wound healing in rats. Histological and biochemical findings showed that doses of 5 and 30 μg/kg promoted the fastest wound closure and supported homogeneous tissue formation. These results suggest that dexmedetomidine has therapeutic potential in wound healing.