Effect of starch-containing glove powder on wound healing in the rat.
The effect of the starch-containing powder BioSorb on wound healing was examined in an immunocompetent and a T cell-deficient animal model. Wounds were tested by tensionometry to give values of resilience, ultimate strength, toughness and extension. Starch significantly decreased the resilience (P < 0.03), ultimate strength (P < 0.004), and toughness (P < 0.006) of wounds in the immunocompetent model but was not shown to affect the healing of wounds in T cell-depleted animals. When the uncontaminated wounds of the two groups were compared, those from T cell-depleted animals were tougher (P < 0.04) and less extensile (P < 0.0002). These results suggest that starch impairs wound healing by its effect on the T cell-mediated immune system, and that this system may also be involved in regulation of the reparative process because its absence leads to tougher wounds.
Corless
D J
DJ
Department of Academic Surgery, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Holland
J
J
Wastell
C
C
D000818:Animals; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008231:Lymphopenia; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D011208:Powders; D051381:Rats; D011923:Rats, Nude; D013213:Starch; D014945:Wound Healing
D011208:Powders; D013213:Starch