Effects of protein depletion and repletion on experimental open wound contraction.

A controlled comparative study was conducted on the contraction of open wounds in protein-depleted and depleted-repleted Wistar rats. The wounds were photographed on days 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, and 22 after infliction. The slides were projected and the areas corresponding to the wound were measured by planimetry. The results were analyzed using exponential regressions. Wound contraction was slowed in the protein-depleted animals but was normalized in the animals repleted immediately after the wound was produced. Comparing these results with observations from previous studies, the authors inferred that deficiencies in wound contraction in depleted animals are caused by morphological and functional changes in the granulation tissue. These deficiencies are promptly corrected by protein repletion.