A Histological Evaluation of the Effect of Ghrelin on Wound Healing in Rats

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of ghrelin on wound healing. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: Control (n = 8), wound-saline (W+S, n = 16), and wound-ghrelin (W+Gr, n = 16). A wound was created on the cervical back region of rats using an 8 mm biopsy punch tool in the W+S and W+Gr groups. Either saline (1 mL/kg) or ghrelin (10 ng/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally each day to the rats in the non-control groups after the onset of the wound. Rats from the W+S and W+Gr groups were euthanized on the 7th (n = 8 from each group) and 14th day (n = 8 from each group) of the experiment. The histopathological score was evaluated statistically using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests. Results: The rats euthanized from the W+S group on day 7 (subgroup W+S7) showed degenerated epidermis, no hair follicles, presence of granulation tissue, inflammatory cell infiltration, vasocongestion, and increased collagen fibers in dermis. However, all these histopathological findings significantly decreased in the rats euthanized from the W+Gr group on day 7 (subgroup W+Gr7) compared to the W+S7 group (p < 0.05). The W+S14 group showed thick epidermis, a few hair follicles, angiogenesis, and increased collagen fibers in the dermis. Additionally, the histopathological findings decreased significantly in the W+Gr14 group compared to W+S14 group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the statistical analysis of the histological findings, the ghrelin treatment appears to have a beneficial effect on wound healing.