Effect of collagen cross-linking inhibition by local application of beta-aminopropionitrile fumarate on wound contraction and healing (macroscopic study)

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Wound contraction is a major component of second-intention wound healing. The mechanism of this process is not completely understood. Two theories have been described for the mechanism of the wound contraction. To evaluate the collagen cross-linking inhibition on wound contraction, the present study was carried out. Macroscopical aspects of second-intention healing of full-thickness, excisional wounds were studied in five normal male mixed-breed dogs. Under general anesthesia, two full-thickness skin wounds (20 × 20 mm) were created on the back of each dog symmetrically. Left-side wounds (test group) and right-side wounds (control group) were treated topically with beta-aminopropionitrile fumarate 5 mg/ml in methyl cellulose gel and methyl cellulose gel, respectively. Wounds were treated starting at 24 h after wounding and continued for ten successive days. The wounds were evaluated over a 4-week period. At the days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, and 28, digital photographs were taken of all wounds. Rulers were held vertically and horizontally close to the wound as a reference. The area of the epithelialization and granulation tissue were measured for each wound using Scion Image software. Percent of the wound contraction, epithelialization, and healing were calculated for each wounds. Wound contraction, epithelialization, and healing were significantly decreased in the wounds treated by beta-aminopropionitrile fumarate (P < 0.05). Our data demonstrated that the collagen and collagen cross-linking play a key role in the wound contraction and healing during the first 10 days of the wound healing.