The effect of methylprednisolone and vitamin A on wound healing. I.

The effect of methylprednisolone and vitamin A on wound healing was studied by analysing various relevant granulation tissue components in rats. The granulation tissue development was induced by viscose cellulose sponges implanted subcutaneously. Methylprednisolone and vitamin A were applied either locally into the sponge at the time of operation or systemically and daily throughout the observation period of 3 weeks. Methylprednisolone alone, both systematically and locally, retarded the development of granulation tissue, as shown by reduced amounts of collagen and delayed development of vascularity. This effect was partially reversed with simultaneous administration of vitamin A at one week. Local application of vitamin A resulted in increased hemoglobin and DNA values but did not significantly affect the amount of hydroxyproline in methylprednisolone-treated granulation tissue. Systemic administration of vitamin A resulted in methylprednisolone-treated granulation tissue at one week. Vitamin A alone did not have any effect on collagen accumulation but resulted in higher amount of cells in the granulation tissue.