BACKGROUND: Open wounds affecting the distal part of limbs are commonly seen in horses. Due to certain factors, such as limited connective tissue available, potentiated growth of excessive granulation tissue, risk of contamination, and poor response to common treatments, healing of these wounds becomes a major problem for veterinarians on a number of occasions. Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) for enhancing wound healing has received a great deal of scientific attention. Among the MSCs, those derived from adipose tissue are frequently used owing to their availability, large number of cells after the primary harvest, and the capacity to differentiate to different cell lines.OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to evaluate type 1 and 3 collagen genes expression in horse distal limb wounds treated via adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and its comparison with bone marrow-derived stem cells.METHODS: After treatment of the experimental open wounds created in the distal limbs of four horses via autologous MSCs, real-time PCR was used for evaluating and comparing the expression of type I and III collagen genes in the healing wounds.RESULTS: Significant differences in the expression of type I and III collagen genes were observed between the treatment groups. Despite the fact that the greatest collagen genes expression belonged to bone marrow-derived MSCs, no significant differences were seen with adipose-derived MSCs.CONCLUSIONS: Owing to the advantages and an acceptable performance, adipose-derived MSCs could be considered as a novel approach to enhancing limb wound healing in horses.

BACKGROUND: Flufenamic acid is a member of the fenamates and is used as an analgesic and NSAID drug. According to the ability of this drug on blocking connexin and preventing leakage of substances such as ATP from cells, it seems to be beneficial in healing diabetic wounds. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the effects of topical flufenamic acid as a connexin-channel blocker on skin wound healing in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: In this study diabetics was induced in 40 male rats by IP injection of 150mg/kg of alloxan and they were divided to 4 groups. After anesthesia, 2×2 cm incision was made on the back of the rats and the skin was separated completely. Three groups were treated by 2, 5 and 10 percent concentration of flufenamic acid ointment separately, and one group was treated by Vaseline and ucerine ointment as control. Bandage and ointment were changed daily and the procedure was carried out for 21 days. The wound surface was measured on odd days. Half of the rats of each group on day five and half of them on day 21 were euthanized to get pathologic slides. RESULTS: Process of healing, fibroblast concentration, epithelialization, angiogenesis, collagen formation and wound closure in 2 percent group were better than other groups and in control, 5 and 10 percent groups had a decreasing trend respectively and had a significant difference. In the last two groups, the healing process was disrupted. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 percent concentration of drug not only did not show potent anti-inflammatory effects, but also improved the process of healing by blocking the connexin 43 and inhibition of ATP release, while in the concentration of 5 and 10 percent, anti-inflammatory effects of the drug predominated and delayed the healing process.

The study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of digital planimetry apps for wound measurement in dogs. Twenty four clinical cases of dogs with the history of wound presented for wound management were randomly divided into four groups consisting of six animals each and wound measurements were taken on 0, 2, 4 and 7th day. The wound was measured with length, breadth, area and circumference using Imito Measure mobile application through smart phone camera. Based on reduction in wound size healing rate was assessed. Digital planimetry applications are accurate and precise in wound measurement compare to standard ruler method and tracing method.

The study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of digital planimetry apps for wound measurement in dogs. Twenty four clinical cases of dogs with the history of wound presented for wound management were randomly divided into four groups consisting of six animals each and wound measurements were taken on 0, 2, 4 and 7th day. The wound was measured with length, breadth, area and circumference using Imito Measure mobile application through smart phone camera. Based on reduction in wound size healing rate was assessed. Digital planimetry applications are accurate and precise in wound measurement compare to standard ruler method and tracing method.

The efficacy of oil extract of the seeds of Loranthus europeus on wound healing was investigated. After the preparation of the oil extract, the oil ointment of L. europeus was prepared. A preliminary biochemical analysis were carried out to find out the chemical contents of L. europeus oil extract. The study involved 18 male rabbits, they were divided equally and randomly into 3 groups depending on post wounding biopsy: p(3'd,7Ih and l4‘hday post wounding). Two full thickness cut wounds were done on the both sides of shoulder regions( the left wound as control and the left as treated wound) of each group of animals. The treated and control wounds were treated continuously with (0.5mg) oil ointment and Vaseline base respectively, for 14”‘ day twice a day. All wounds were evaluate macroscopically which included "measurement of contraction rate, daily wound contraction, hyperemia, exudation and scab formation." and microscopically for "neutrophil, macrophage infiltration, re-epithelization, fibroblast proliferation with collagen production and new blood capillary formation". A Both macroscopic and microscopic results showed the efficacy of L europeus seeds in promoting the healing process significantly as compared with control wounds (P

Two 2.5-cm2 full-thickness skin wounds were created surgically over the lateral aspect of the cannon bone of each limb of 6 horses (n = 48 wounds). Dressings evaluated were a nonadherent gauze pad (group 1); a synthetic semiocclusive dressing, (group 2); equine amnion (group 3); and a synthetic fully occlusive dressing (group 4). Wounds were assessed subjectively at each dressing change, and total wound area, area of granulation tissue, and area of epithelium in each wound were determined by computerized digital analysis of photographs of the wounds. Complete healing time (wound covered by epithelium) also was determined for each wound. Statistical comparisons were made, using Kruskal-Wallis analysis and a Mann-Whitney U test. Median time to complete healing was: group 1, 53 days; group 2, 71 days; group 3, 63 days; and group 4, 113 days. Time to complete healing was significantly longer for wounds of group-4 horses than all other groups, and wounds of group-1 horses healed faster than did those of group-2 horses (P < 0.05). Wounds in group-4 horses required significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) more excisions of granulation tissue (median, 11.5 times) than did those in group-1 (median, 3.5), group-2 (median, 5.5) or group-3 (median, 2.5) horses. Epithelial tissue was detected later in wounds of group-4 horses (median, 27 days) than in wounds of horses in groups 1, 2 or 3 (median, 17 days); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Significant differences were not found for percentage of healing attributable to wound contraction or epithelialization. Use of synthetic semiocclusive and fully occlusive dressings resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged healing and production of excess wound exudate, compared with control wounds. In this model, occlusion of wounds was not beneficial for healing of full-thickness skin wounds of the distal portion of the limbs of horses.

A circular (5.5 mm diameter) full-thickness cartilage defect was created on the medial ridge of the talus in 12 skeletally mature dogs. In 6 dogs, the articular surface of the lesion was repaired, using an osteochondral graft obtained from the ipsilateral manus. The graft (digit I, first phalanx, distal articular surface and diaphysis) was contoured to obtain a press fit in the drilled talar recipient site. In 6 dogs, the lesion was not treated and healed by fibrous tissue replacement. Functional assessment (lameness, hock range of motion, joint stability, joint crepitus, and mid-femoral muscle circumference) was completed before surgery and at postoperative weeks 2 through 20. Radiographic assessment (periarticular soft tissue width, joint space width, osteophyte formation, and graft incorporation) was completed before surgery and at postoperative weeks 0, 6, 12, and 20. To facilitate histologic assessment, tissues were stained with toluidine blue and H&E. Histologic assessment of the articular surface on the surgically treated talus, ipsilateral tibia, and contralateral talus was completed, using a modification of the Mankin grading system. Subchondral bone was examined to assess graft viability and incorporation. Analysis of the ordinal data was completed, using a Mann-Whitney rank sum test. All dogs were fully weight bearing by postoperative week 7. Dogs without grafts had significantly (P = 0.036) better clinical function at postoperative week 6. Significant difference in functional assessment was not evident at postoperative week 20. Immediate postoperative radiographic assessment revealed significant (P = 0.005) difference between nongrafted and grafted groups. Significant difference was not observed at postoperative week 6, 12, or 20. All grafts appeared radiographically incorporated by postoperative week 12. All grafts restored joint surface congruity, whereas 3 of 6 nongrafted lesions had poor articular congruity. Of 6 grafts, 4 partially retained normal hyaline cartilage, resulting in significantly (P = 0.014) lower Mankin grades. Significant histologic differences between groups were not apparent when the apposing tibia and control talus were examined. Talar reconstruction by use of a phalangeal osteochondral graft is a viable surgical procedure. These data indicate that normal articular and subchondral architecture are more closely approximated by osteochondral reconstruction than by fibrous tissue repair.

This study compared the instrument performance and tissue healing of a steel scalpel with a CO₂ laser in an animal urinary bladder surgery model. Landrace and Yorkshire mixed breed pigs were used. Two symmetrical incisions were made in urinary bladder of each pig. One incision was made on the left side of ventral aspect on urinary bladder using a steel scalpel, while the other incision was performed on the right side using a CO₂ laser with an 8W output power. Each instrument was evaluated clinically for speed, ease of incision, and extent of bleeding. At 7 and 21 days after initial wounding, each wound was taken for histological observations. The scalpel was an easier instrument to use in the confines of the urinary bladder tissue, compared with the laser. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups. The amount of bleeding was less in the laser group but the time of the incisions was shorter with the scalpel. Scalpel incisions showed complete restoration of the epithelium and muscularis. On the other hand, the laser incisions showed incomplete restoration of the epithelium and muscularis. However, most of wound healing in the laser incisions was accomplished according to the time lapse. Although the scalpel produced less damage to the urinary bladder tissue and was easier to handle than the CO₂ laser, it did not provide hemostasis that was helpful for use on highly vascular tissue. The CO₂ laser provided good hemostasis, but delayed wound healing. In conclusion, the CO₂ laser provided better hemostasis and better surgical field than the scalpel. The CO₂ laser was used effectively in urinary bladder incision.

Wound healing is a fundamental response to tissue injury and several natural products have been shown to accelerate the healing process. The present study was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of the topical treatment of acetone leaf extracts of <em>Combretum imberbe, Combretum nelsonii,Combretum albopuntactum</em> and <em>Terminalia sericea</em> based on their in <em>vitro</em> antimicrobial activity. Four circular full-thickness skin wounds were made on the backs of eight anaesthetised Wistar rats using aseptic techniques. The treatments were administrated topically using 10% and 20% concentrations of each extract in aqueous cream in separate treatments. Indications of erythema, exudate, crust formation,swelling and ulceration were used to determine the wound healing process. All of the wounds closed completely within 17 days. Throughout the experiment, a subcutaneous probe was used to determine that the body temperature and body weight of the rats were within the normal range. <em>C. imberbe</em> and <em>C. nelsonii</em> extracts accelerated wound healing, but there was no significant difference in wound contraction using 10% and 20% concentrations of the extracts in cream. The results also showed the potential usefulness of this model to measure accelerating wound healing.The extracts could perhaps overcome defects associated with healing failure in chronic wounds and prevent secondary bacterial and fungal infections.