Effects of the application of the amniotic membrane in the healing process of skin wounds in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the application of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) on the inflammatory process, fibroblast proliferation, formation of collagenand reduction of skin wound areas in rats. Methods: Thirty six rats were submitted to a surgical injury induction and divided into two groups (n = 18): group C (control) and T (treated with the HAM). The macroscopic evolution in the wound area and the histological characteristics of the skin samples were evaluated. Results: The regression of the wound area was greater in group T. The histological analysis revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the inflammatory infiltrate in group T at all experimental periods compared with that in the control group. Furthermore, the group T presented a significant increase in the proliferation of fibroblasts at 14 and 21 days compared with group C (p < 0.05). Regarding the deposition of mature collagen fibers, there was an increase in the replacement of type III collagen by type I collagen in group T (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with the HAM reduced the healing time as well as the inflammatory responses, increased the proliferation of fibroblasts, and induced a higher concentration of mature collagen fibers.

Amniotic membrane as an option for treatment of acute Achilles tendon injury in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effect of human amniotic membrane (hAM) fragment on inflammatory response, proliferation of fibroblast and organization of collagen fibers in injured tendon. Methods: Sixty rats were divided into 3 groups: C - surgical procedures without tendon lesion and with simulation of hAM application; I - surgical procedures, tendon injury and simulation of hAM application; T - surgical procedures, tendon injury and hAM application. These groups were subdivided into four experimental times (3, 7, 14 and 28 days). The samples underwent histological analysis and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Results: Histological analysis at 14 days, the T group showed collagen fibers with better alignment. At 28 days, the I group presented the characteristics described for the T group at 14 days, while this group presented aspects of a mature connective tissue. FT-IR analysis showed a clear distinction among the three groups at all experimental times and groups T and I presented more similarities to each other than to group C. Conclusion: Acute injury of tendon treated with human amniotic membrane fragment showed a faster healing process, reduction in inflammatory response, intense proliferation of fibroblasts and organization of collagen fibers.

A histomorphometrical study of the effects of ethanol on enamel formation in rat mandibular molars during pregnancy

The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy causes fetal congenital malformations, including craniofacial and orodental defects, as a result of interference with normal embryonic development. In this work, we examined the effects of alcohol on tooth development and enamel formation in rats. Alcohol was administered to female rats in the drinking water starting at a concentration of 1% followed by weekly increases to 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. In the seventh week, the rats were mated and continued to receive 25% alcohol until delivery. On postnatal day 5, three offsprings of each mother were killed and their hemimandibules removed, processed and embedded in araldite. Sections 1 µm thick were cut and stained with 1% toluidine blue and histomorphometric analysis of the dental germ and enamel matrix was done. During the postnatal period, the body weights of the offspring from treated dams were significantly smaller than the controls. In addition, the relative volumes of the tooth germ and enamel matrix were always smaller in the offspring of dams treated with alcohol. These results indicated that the ingestion of alcohol during pregnancy interfered with the development of the tooth germ and the secretion of the enamel matrix.