Effects of supplementation with different edible oils on cutaneous wound healing.

Fatty acids are bioactive molecules, but their effects on cutaneous wound healing are not well understood. Our aim was to investigate the effects of supplementation with edible oils on cutaneous healing. Thirty days before wounding, rats were started on daily supplements of sunflower oil, linseed oil, fish oil, or water. Supplementation lasted until euthanasia. On day 0, an excisional wound was made on the back of each animal. Fourteen days later, the animals were euthanized, and the wound and adjacent skin were collected. Wound closure was higher in the control group compared with the other groups at days 7 and 14. Inflammatory cells were abundant in the control, linseed, and fish groups, but scarce in the sunflower group. Large numbers of myofibroblasts were observed in the control and sunflower groups. The linseed and fish groups presented a high density of dilated blood vessels. The control and sunflower groups showed a moderate density of collagen fibers; a high density of fibers was observed in the linseed and fish groups. Hydroxyproline levels were lowest in the control and sunflower groups. Supplementation with different types of edible oils delayed wound closure and affected the inflammatory infiltrate and collagen deposition.