THE EFFECT OF 3 ANTIMICROBIALS IN THE REPAIR OF ORAL ULCERS: CLINICAL, HISTOLOGIC, AND MICROBIOLOGIC EVALUATION

Abstract

Objective This study investigated the effect of topical application of 0.12% chlorhexidine, 10% povidone-iodine, and 50% erythromycin on the optimization of healing process of traumatic ulcers made on tongue of rats. Study Design Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control, chlorhexidine (Chx), povidone-iodine (PvI), and erythromycin (Er). An ulcer of 5 mm in diameter was made on the ventral tongue of the animals. After 24 hours, a microbiologic sample was taken and daily application of the substances started. Six animals from each group were euthanized at 4 days and the others at 8 days postoperative. Before euthanasia, a new microbiologic collection was performed. Results The experimental groups showed less area of residual ulcer. A significant difference was seen between the PvI and Chx in relation to the control after 3 days of treatment. Er exhibited the lowest inflammation scores after 7 days of treatment. PvI showed reduction of microorganisms at both times and under aerobic and microaerophilic conditions. Er significantly reduced the count of microorganisms in aerobic condition compared with control group. Conclusions All drugs promoted reduction of the microorganisms at the site of the injury, which may have a direct effect on the tissue repair process. This study investigated the effect of topical application of 0.12% chlorhexidine, 10% povidone-iodine, and 50% erythromycin on the optimization of healing process of traumatic ulcers made on tongue of rats. Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control, chlorhexidine (Chx), povidone-iodine (PvI), and erythromycin (Er). An ulcer of 5 mm in diameter was made on the ventral tongue of the animals. After 24 hours, a microbiologic sample was taken and daily application of the substances started. Six animals from each group were euthanized at 4 days and the others at 8 days postoperative. Before euthanasia, a new microbiologic collection was performed. The experimental groups showed less area of residual ulcer. A significant difference was seen between the PvI and Chx in relation to the control after 3 days of treatment. Er exhibited the lowest inflammation scores after 7 days of treatment. PvI showed reduction of microorganisms at both times and under aerobic and microaerophilic conditions. Er significantly reduced the count of microorganisms in aerobic condition compared with control group. All drugs promoted reduction of the microorganisms at the site of the injury, which may have a direct effect on the tissue repair process.