Wound healing in vitamin C-deficient and nondeficient guinea pigs: a pilot study.

Wound contraction and scar contracture were studied in guinea pigs deficient (stage I) and nondeficient in vitamin C (stage II). Some vitamin C-deficient and some nondeficient animals were subjected to excision of an ellipse of skin measuring 40 X 20 mm in an area not containing panniculus carnosus. The wounds were approximated without undermining. In other animals, the same type of excision was carried out; however, the wounds were left unapproximated. Wound contraction was studied in the unapproximated group and scar contracture was studied in both groups for six months postoperatively. Scar contracture was found to be more significant in animals with unapproximated wounds who were on regular diets, implying a role for vitamin C in this process. Wound contraction was noted to take place in scorbutic and non-scorbutic groups at the same rate. These findings are in line with previous studies done in areas containing panniculus carnosus, implying that the role of this cutaneous muscle in contraction and contracture is not essential in either deficient or nondeficient states. Two animals also developed a remarkably thicker scar than their counterparts while in a deficient state. The relationship between vitamin C deficiency and the formation of hypertrophic scar in guinea pigs is postulated.