A histological study of the wound healing process after using calcium alginate as a dressing in rats

Wang Tao; Liu Fang; Gu Qisheng; Zhang Jiang; Zhang Zhen; Zhao Jun; Jia Weiping

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-8521.2014.03.008

Abstract：Objective:To evaluate the effect of calcium alginate on wound healing process of rats. Methods:Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group (each n=24). A full-thickness skin wound was produced on rat’s back,and it was covered with calcium alginate dressing (experimental group)or dry ordinary gauze (con-trol group). The healing rate of the wound was compared 3,7,14 days after these production of the wound. At the same time the wound tissue was obtained for examination. HE and Masson staining were used to evaluate the ratio of cross section area of vessels in the newly formed granulation to area of granulation,the thickness of granulation tissue,and the contents of col-lagen (the ratio of area of collagen to area of wound)within wound area. Results:The healing rate of the wound in experi-ment group was accelerated compared with that in control group on day 3 (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the thickness of granulation tissue [(1 540.0±118.5)μm vs. (1 504.6±131.8)μm,P>0.05],and the ratio of area of blood vessels in newly formed granulation tissue to area of granulation tissue [(0.118±0.007)vs. (0.113±0.007),P>0.05]were found between two groups on the 3rd day. However the area of collagen protein in experimental group was in-creased significantly compared to control group [(45.7±5.3)% vs. (11.6±2.5)%,P<0.05]3 days after wounding. The above indicators were higher in experiment group than those of the control group on the 7th postoperative day(all P<0.05), and the condition was still present on the 14th postoperative day(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Calcium alginate can promote wound healing by increasing the collagen content and accelerating the formation of granulation tissue.