A Controlled Study to Examine the Effect of Topical Sucralfate on Radiofrequency-induced Burn Wounds in Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 10% topical sucralfate on healing radiofrequency-induced burn wounds in rats. Twenty (20) male rats were divided into 2 equal groups. Using radiofrequency, 4 full-thickness, 1 cm in diameter round burns were created on the backs of the rats that then were randomized to receive twice-daily treatment for 30 days with 10% sucralfate or neutral cream. Biopsies were taken on days 4, 7, 14, and 21 to analyze fibrin-leukocyte crut, edema density, epidermal-dermal cell infiltration, amount of fibroblast and collagen fibers, amount of elastic fibers, neovascularization-angiogenesis, and reepithelialization-granulation tissue. Data were collected to a spreadsheet and entered into statistical software for analysis. Histopathological features were classified as categorical variables and compared using the χ2 test and Fisher's exact test. When χ2 was used, Yates' correction for continuity was performed. All reported P values were 2-tailed; P less than .05 was considered statistically significant. On day 4, improvement in edema density (P = .034), epidermal detachment (P = .020), epidermal-dermal cell infiltration (P = .007), and polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration (P = .021) were statistically more significant in the sucralfate than control group. On day 7, epidermal-dermal cell infiltration (P = .007) and elastic fibers P = .050) were statistically more significant in the sucralfate group. On day 14, angiogenesis (P = .029), reepithelialization (P = .035), and granulation tissue (P = .003) were statistically more significant in the sucralfate group. By the end of the study (day 30), angiogenesis (P = .010), reepithelialization (P <.001), fibroblast density (P = .016), granulation tissue (P = .035), and collagen density (P = .002) were significantly improved in the sucralfate group versus the control group. In a rat wound model, 10% topical sucralfate was found to histopathologically facilitate the healing process compared to the control group. Controlled clinical studies are needed to elucidate the effect of this treatment in human wounds.