title: Ascorbic acid for the healing of skin wounds in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Healing is a complex process that involves cellular and biochemical events. Several medicines have been used in order to shorten healing time and avoid aesthetic damage.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to verify the topical effect of ascorbic acid for the healing of rats' skin wounds through the number of macrophages, new vessels and fibroblast verifications in the experimental period; and analyse the thickness and the collagen fibre organization in the injured tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Rattus norvegicus weighing 270 +/- 30 g were used. After thionembutal anesthesia, 15 mm transversal incisions were made in the animals' cervical backs. They were divided into two groups: Control Group (CG, n = 12) - skin wound cleaned with water and soap daily; Treated Group (TG, n = 12) - skin wound cleaned daily and treated with ascorbic acid cream (10%). Samples of skin were collected on the 3rd, 7th and 14th days. The sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius red for morphologic analysis. The images were obtained and analysed by a Digital Analyser System.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ascorbic acid acted on every stage of the healing process. It reduced the number of macrophages, increased the proliferation of fibroblasts and new vessels, and stimulated the synthesis of thicker and more organized collagen fibres in the wounds when compared to CG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ascorbic acid was shown to have anti-inflammatory and healing effects, guaranteeing a suiTable environment and conditions for faster skin repair.
authors: Universidade José do Rosário Vellano, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
authors: C C
authors: CC
authors: Lima
authors: A P C
authors: AP
authors: Pereira
authors: J R F
authors: JR
authors: Silva
authors: L S
authors: LS
authors: Oliveira
authors: M C C
authors: MC
authors: Resck
authors: C O
authors: CO
authors: Grechi
authors: M T C P
authors: MT
authors: Bernardes
authors: F M P
authors: FM
authors: Olímpio
authors: A M M
authors: AM
authors: Santos
authors: E K
authors: EK
authors: Incerpi
authors: J A D
authors: JA
authors: Garcia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003094:Collagen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D003094:Collagen; D001205:Ascorbic Acid