The effects of tetrahydroxyquinone on connective tissue

Abstract

KELLY and PINKUS reported on the oral treatment of keloids with Tetrahydroxyquinonet in 1958 [I]. At that time it was stated that the keloids regressed in size, that the symptoms were ameliorated and that the histological changes in the connective tissue were very definite and interesting. There were changes, following the administration of Tetrahydroxyquinane, in all three divisions of the connective tissue. The cells were increased in number, the metachromasia lessened and there appeared to be some breakdown of collagen bundles. After noting these changes, the next step was to try to create an experimental tool with which we could work, and to attempt to determine by differential staining when and how various components of the connective tissue were affected. The tool chosen was the Ivalon sponge implanted in the flanks of female rats. These animals were given estrogen$ twice weekly [2]. This was done because MULLER [3] reported that estradiol caused enlargement of the collagen bundles in the compact connective tissue in rats. Histology and histochemistry of sponge implants in rats with estrogen and without estrogen were studied in detail [4]. Connective tissue response to sponge implants in estrogen treated rats in some ways resembled a keloid. This report is concerned with: (1) the effect of Tetrahydroxyquinone, clinically on keloids; (2) the histology of normal keloids and the changes that occur after Tetrahydroxyquinone; (3) the effect of Tetrahydroxyquinone upon the sponge implant.