POTENTIAL ROLE OF HETEROLOGOUS COLLAGEN IN PROMOTING CUTANEOUS WOUND REPAIR IN RATS

The effect of native bovine tendon type-I collagen sponges (CONDRESS(R)) on wound repair was evaluated by employing an experimental animal (rat) model which utilized subcutaneously implanted collagen and polyurethane sponges. Lesions were also created in the control groups with the exception that implants were omitted. The fusion of the hypodermal layer was selected as the index of wound repair expressed as % healing. In order to assess the extent of the healing process, parameters of clinical evaluation such as exudate volume, number of polymorphonuclears (PMNs) and macrophages (M Empty-Set s) were also determined. All studies were effected at time intervals of 24, 48 and 72 h post wounding and implantation. The collagen-treated groups showed a greater healing capacity as compared to the polyurethane sponge-treated and control groups. Likewise, the exudate volume, number of leukocytes and mononuclear-type cells were all significantly higher for the collagen-treated animals than those of the polyurethane sponge-treated and control ones. Furthermore, the healthier appearance of the artificially produced wounds in the collagen sponge-treated groups (when compared to the others after 24 h) further confirmed collagen's validity in the treatment of wounds.