ABSTRACT
Effect of two calcium channel blockers (CCBs) nifedipine and amlodipine, was studied on normal and steroid depressed wound healing in albino rats, using the dead space wound model. The drugs enhanced normal healing as evidenced by increase in tensile strength of 10 days old granulation tissue. There was neither a significant change in the hydroxyproline level (or collagen) nor a change in the glycosaminoglycan content in granulation tissue. However, lysyloxidase level was increased significantly. The increase in tensile strength could thus be attributed to better cross-linking and maturation of collagen rather than collagen synthesis per se. The drugs were also able to overcome steroid depressed wound healing. It is likely that the prohealing effects may be related to the improved antioxidant status too, since superoxide dismutase levels were observed to be higher in the CCB- treated animals.
Subject(s)
Amlodipine/pharmacology , Animals , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Calcium Channel Blockers/pharmacology , Glycosaminoglycans/metabolism , Hexosamines/metabolism , Hexuronic Acids/metabolism , Hydroxyproline/metabolism , Male , Nifedipine/pharmacology , Protein-Lysine 6-Oxidase/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Steroids/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Tensile Strength , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology , Wound Healing/drug effectsABSTRACT
The wound healing effect of two calcium channel blockers, nifedipine and amlodipine was studied in rats using incision and excision wound models. In incision wound, two straight paravertebral skin thickness incision were made and on tenth day skin tensile strength was measured by using continuous water flow technique. In excision wound, circular piece of skin excised in its full thickness and wound contraction monitored by alternate day wound tracing and epithelisation period was monitored by noting the number of days required for escher to fall. Drugs enhanced the skin tensile strength in incision wound model. In excision wound model, wound contraction is increased on 4th and 16th day but epithlisation period was not significantly altered. In conclusion, calcium channel blockers can be used to enhance wound healing, especially if wound healing was suppressed by steroids.