070 Epidermal Wound Healing is Delayed in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic PIGS

Abstract

Streptozotocin‐induced diabetes is a well established model of diabetes in rodents. However, these small mammals differ from humans in a number of anatomical and physiological ways, in contrast to pigs, who are more similar to humans. No diabetic pig model has been used for the study of wound healing. Our hypothesis is that re‐epithelialization would be delayed in the streptozotocin induced diabetic pig. Method: Diabetes was induced by injecting Streptozotocin into two three month old female Yorkshire pigs. 52 full thickness wounds were created on the dorsum and dressed with polyvinyl chambers to keep the wounds wet and to allow for wound fluid monitoring. Serum glucose and wound fluid glucose concentrations were monitored daily. Wound contraction was monitored and biopsies taken on multiple days for re‐epithelialization measurements. Results: The serum glucose was significantly increased for the duration of the experiment (>350 mg/dl). Wound fluid glucose closely followed serum glucose concentration. There was no statistical difference between the contraction rates of wounds in diabetic pigs and healthy pigs. Re‐epithelialization was significantly delayed in diabetic wounds. Reepithelialization Day 12 Day 14 Day 16 Diabetic pig 38% 59% 82% Healthy pig 96% 100% 100% Conclusion: Epidermal regeneration of full thickness wounds is significantly delayed in the Streptozotocin induced diabetic pig. This is a very useful model of impaired wound healing because of the close similarity to human skin. The wound chambers add the advantage of monitoring and manipulating the wound environment.