The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ascorbic acid (AA)-treated fibroblasts transplantation on excisional diabetic wound healing. An excisional wound was created between the shoulders of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. On day three, 1 ml of PBS, 1 × 106 intact homologous fibroblasts, and 1 × 106 fibroblasts treated with 50 μM AA were injected subcutaneously around the wound edges in control, treatment-1 and treatment-2 groups, respectively. In the sham group, the wound was left intact. Wound area was measured by planimetry. On day 15, samples were harvested for histopathological examination and hydroxyproline content. Wound area in treatment-1 and - 2 groups was significantly decreased compared to other groups, on days 11 and 15. The hydroxyproline content was significantly lower in the control group compared to the other groups. Histopathology revealed significant increases in the number of neovessels, macrophages, lymphocytes and fibroblasts in the treatment-2 group compared to the other groups. Trichrome staining showed the highest level of collagen deposition and orientation in the treatment-2 group. In conclusion, allotransplantation of 50 μM AA-treated fibroblasts could result in progressive healing and improved reparative indices of excisional dermal wound in diabetic rats.
Keywords: Fibroblast; Hydroxyproline; Planimetry; Streptozotocin; Wound healing.
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