title: Effect of topical application of chlorhexidine and metronidazole on the tissue repair of palatal wounds of rats: a clinical and histomorphometric study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the effect of topical application of 2% chlorhexidine (GCl) and metronidazole (Gme) pastes for the repair of palatal wounds in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 4-mm diameter wound was created on the palates of 27 rats separated randomly into 3 groups of 9 animals each, according to the treatment received: GNa (Control: natrosol), GCl, and GMe. The animals were euthanized after 3, 6, and 10 days, and wound closure was clinically and histomorphometrically assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical evaluation showed a statistically significant difference in tissue repair with GCl and GMe compared with GNa. In histomorphometric analysis, the highest values in the areas of the epithelium and keratin were observed for GCl and GMe; however, compared with Gna, no statistically significant differences were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GCl and GMe pastes showed promising results with regard to tissue repair from a clinical point of view. Histologically, premature closure of wounds was noted in most specimens on day 6. Although no statistically significant differences were observed among the experimental groups with regard to histometry of the epithelium and keratin, the highest means were observed for GCl.
authors.affiliation: Titular Professor of Department of Clinic and Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: Ronaldocmariano@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ronaldo Célio
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mariano
authors.affiliation: PhD student in Diagnostic and Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry of Araraquara, São Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marina Reis
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Dentist, Federal University of Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leopoldo Cosme
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: PhD student in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry of Araçatuba, São Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Clinic Integrated and Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry of Araçatuba, University of State São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Idelmo Rangel
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Garcia Júnior
authors.affiliation: Master's degree student of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Carvalho Silva
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010159:Palate / Q000293:injuries*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole; D002710:Chlorhexidine