Effects of parenteral fish-oil emulsion (Omegaven) on cutaneous wound healing in rats treated with dexamethasone.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to assess wound healing when parenteral fish-oil emulsion is given to rats receiving dexamethasone.


METHODS
For 5 days after skin wounding, group S (control; n = 7) received saline 1 mL/kg intraperitoneal (IP); group D (n = 7), dexamethasone 0.2 mg/kg IP; and group DO (n = 9), dexamethasone 0.2 mg/kg IP plus 1 mL/kg Omegaven (Fresenius Kabi, Austria). Wound specimens were assessed for hydroxyproline level, wound depth, histology (epidermal/dermal regeneration, granulation tissue thickness, and angiogenesis), and expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA).


RESULTS
Compared with D and DO specimens, controls had higher hydroxyproline (p < .01), deeper wounds (p < .05), and better histologic scores (p < .01 angiogenesis; others p < .05). There were no significant differences between the group D and DO means for hydroxyproline level, wound depth, or histologic scores (p > .05 for all). Controls had higher TGF-beta expression scores than the other groups (p < .01 for both) and a higher PDGF-AA expression score than group DO (p < .01). Groups D and DO had statistically similar TGF-beta scores, but group D had a higher PDGF-AA score (2.71 +/- 0.75 vs 1.55 +/- 0.72, respectively; p < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
According to the parameters we studied, adding parenteral omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to the nutrition regimen of rats treated with dexamethasone does not seem to have adverse effects on wound healing, and effects on wound healing may not need to be considered when determining if these agents should be supplemented in nutrition support regimens.
Gercek
Arzu
A
Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul, Turkey. arzugercek@yahoo.com
Yildirim
Ozlem
O
Konya
Deniz
D
Bozkurt
Suheyla
S
Ozgen
Serdar
S
Kilic
Turker
T
Sav
Aydin
A
Pamir
Necmettin
N
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D005395:Fish Oils; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D003907:Dexamethasone