TENSILE STRENGTH OF SKIN WOUNDS IN RATS AFTER TREATMENT WITH CORTICOSTEROIDS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The tensile strength of skin wounds has been studied in rats at different times after operation. Cortisol acetate (5 or 50 mg/kg) or prednisolone acetate (1 or 10 mg/kg) were injected daily subcutaneously. According to the dose and potency of the corticosteroid given, the wound tensile strength was found to be decreased between the 3rd and 9th day. This effect was most pronounced on the 6th day. On the 12th day and even more distinctly on the 20th day after operation, a reversal of this effect could be observed. Low doses of glucocorticoids resulted in an increase in wound tensile strength, whereas high doses, already toxic after prolonged administration, still caused a decrease. If treatment was started at the end of the collagen phase (11th day), only an increase in wound tensile strength was seen, regardless of the dose of glucocorticoid administered. Short-term treatment during the scar phase (day 19 to 20) resulted in an increase in wound tensile strength which correlated with the dose and potency of the glucocorticoid given. It is therefore concluded that scar tissue of wounded skin reacts like normal connective tissue as far as the increase in tensile strength induced by glucocorticoids is concerned.