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[Influence of methylprednisolone and transforming growth factor-beta on wound healing]
1Second Department of Surgery, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
Abstract:
This study was aimed at evaluating the influence of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on methylprednisolone induced inhibition of wound healing. C57BL/6 mice underwent a standardized dorsal incision. At regular intervals after wounding the mice were sacrificed and their pelts were excised. The fresh breaking strength (FBS) of the pelts was then measured with a constant-speed tension meter. 1) In the first experiment, designed to determine if methylprednisolone did in fact have any inhibiting effect on wound healing, mice received methylprednisolone and a control group received saline. Both methylprednisolone and saline were administered for a four day period. In this experiment the FBS of methylprednisolone treated mice was weaker than that of the control group on the 14th and the 21st day. 2) In the second experiment, designed to determine when the administration of methylprednisolone most noticeably inhibited wound healing, mice were divided into three groups which received methylprednisolone in the following manner: for three days prior to wounding, on the day of wounding, and for three days immediately following wounding. The fourth group received no methylprednisolone at all. The FBS of mice treated with methylprednisolone for three days prior to wounding was weaker than that of the control group on the 14th day after wounding, but showed no significant difference on the 21st day after wounding. The FBS of mice treated on the operative day was weaker on both the 14th and the 21st day after wounding. The FBS of mice treated three days after wounding showed no significant difference on the 14th day after wounding, but was weaker than the control group on the 21st day after wounding. 3) In the third experiment, designed to determine at what time the administration of TGF-beta most accelerated wound healing, mice were divided into three groups which received TGF-beta at different intervals. The first group received TGF-beta on the day of wounding, the second group received TGF-beta on the third day after wounding, and the third group received TGF-beta on the 7th day after wounding. A control group received no treatment. In this experiment the FBS of mice treated with TGF-beta on the third day after wounding was stronger than that of the control group when measured on the 7th and 11th day after wounding, but there was no significant difference on the 14th day. The FBS of mice treated on the day of wounding and mice treated on the 7th day after wounding was not significantly different from that of the control group. 4) In the fourth experiment, designed to determine if TGF-beta can prevent methylprednisolone-induced inhibition of wound healing, mice were divided into three groups. The first group received methylprednisolone for four days prior to wounding. On the third day after wounding they were given saline. The second group also received methylprednisolone for four days prior to wounding, but was treated with TGF-beta on the third day after wounding. The third group received no methylprednisolone, and was given saline three days after wounding. In this experiment the FBS of mice which received only methylprednisolone and saline was weaker than that of the control group on both the 14th and the 21st day after wounding. However, there was no significant difference between the FBS of methylprednisolone treated mice which received TGF-beta and the control group on both the 14th and the 21st day after wounding. From these results the following conclusions were drawn: 1) Methylprednisolone does inhibit wound healing. 2) The influence of methylprednisolone on wound healing is stronger if it is received on operative day. 3) TGF-beta can accelerate wound healing. 4) TGF-beta can prevent methylprednisolone induced inhibition of wound healing.
Insights
Methylprednisolone inhibits wound healing, especially when administered on the operative day. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) accelerates healing and can prevent methylprednisolone-induced inhibition, restoring normal wound strength.
Area of Science:
- Wound healing research
- Pharmacology
- Biomedical science
Context:
- Corticosteroids like methylprednisolone are widely used but can impair wound healing.
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a key regulator of tissue repair.
- Understanding the interplay between these factors is crucial for optimizing patient recovery.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the inhibitory effect of methylprednisolone on wound healing in mice.
- To determine the optimal timing for methylprednisolone administration to minimize its negative impact.
- To investigate the potential of TGF-beta to accelerate wound healing and counteract methylprednisolone's effects.
Summary:
- Methylprednisolone significantly reduced wound healing, evidenced by decreased fresh breaking strength (FBS) in mice.
- Wound healing was most inhibited when methylprednisolone was administered on the operative day.
- TGF-beta administration accelerated wound healing, and notably, prevented methylprednisolone-induced inhibition of healing.
Impact:
- This study highlights the detrimental effects of methylprednisolone on wound healing and identifies critical timing for its administration.
- The findings demonstrate TGF-beta's therapeutic potential in mitigating corticosteroid-induced wound healing impairment.
- Results provide a basis for developing strategies to improve wound repair in patients treated with methylprednisolone.