INFLUENCE OF ARGININE ON WOUND-HEALING IN RATS

The influence of arginine on healing skin wounds was studied in rats. Full-thickness excision wounds were made on the back of rats and 150 mg arginine was administered orally, intraperitoneally, or topically. The granulation tissue formed was used for the estimation of collagen, hexosamine, protein, and DNA. There was a significant increase in collagen, hexosamine, and protein content, whereas no increase in DNA content occurred. This may suggest a non-mitogenic activity of arginine. The tensile strength of treated wounds also increased significantly, and the increase was 72% in intraperitoneally treated rats. The period of epithelialization was decreased, and rate of contraction increased significantly in the treated groups.