Journal de cytologie et d'histologie

Glucosamine Enhances Tissue Regeneration In The Process Of Wound Healing In Rats As Animal Model; A Stereological Study

Abstract

Soheil Ashkani-Esfahani, Yasaman Emami, Elmira Esmaeilzadeh, Fereshteh Bagheri and Mohammad Reza Namazi

Introduction: Glucosamine (GA), a water soluble hexosamine made from chitin or chitosan, was showed to have stimulatory effect on matrix formation, enhancing inflammatory response, modulating hyaluronic acid synthesis which promotes extracellular matrix remodeling leading to better wound healing. GA was also shown to have antioxidant and immunomodulatory effect which play roles in wound healing process. In this study we aimed to determine the effect of topical administration of GA on wound healing process in rats as animal model. Material and methods: 36 Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups; the control group which received no treatment; the Glucosamine group that received GA gel with 2% GA concentration, and the Base group that was treated with the vehicle. A 1 cm full-thickness wound was created on the posterior of each rat’s neck. Treatments took place every 24 hours for 15 days. The wound closure rate, volume density of collagen bundles and vessels, fibroblast population, length density and mean diameter of the vessels were estimated by using unbiased stereological and histomorphometrical methods. Results: GA enhanced the wound closure rate consequently as well as fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis and proliferation of hair follicles in contrast with the base and the control group. Although not statistically significant, GA also improved the revascularization process in the wound site. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that GA has the potential for being used for treatment of skin wounds; however, still further evaluations on its mechanisms of action and clinical advantages and disadvantages should be performed.