The effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug application on incisional wound healing in rats.
OBJECTIVE
There is evidence that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) delay both epithelialisation and angiogenesis in the early phases of wound healing because of an antiproliferative effect. We investigated the influence of diclofenac, a non-selective NSAID, on incisional wound healing.


METHODS
Ten male Wistar rats were given 5 mg diclofenac per kg bodyweight per day; 10 rats were given placebo pellets. After 10 days, unimpaired healing occurred independently of drug treatment both macroscopically and microscopically. Histomorphometry revealed a significant reduction (p = 0.006) in fibroblasts after diclofenac application (median 3 166 cells per mm2) compared with the placebo group (median 3940 cells per mm2). Epidermal thickness was not statistically different between the two groups.


RESULTS
Diclofenac diminished the amount of fibroblasts in connective tissue, reflecting the known antiproliferative effect of NSAIDs on fibroblasts. Clinical healing was not affected.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend short-term diclofenac application for post-surgical and post-traumatic patients with wounds who would benefit from its antiphlogistic and analgesic effect. However, if wound healing is disturbed, the negative effect of diclofenac on fibroblasts should be considered. This is particularly relevant for patients with chronic wounds or conditions such as diabetes which can delay wound healing.
Krischak
G D
GD
Department of Traumatology, Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. gert.krischak@uniklinik-ulm.de
Augat
P
P
Claes
L
L
Kinzl
L
L
Beck
A
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004008:Diclofenac