title: Effects of a Topical Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor and a Selective COX-2 Inhibitor on the Prevention of Hypertrophic Scarring in the Skin of a Rabbit Ear.
abstract: ﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been reported to inhibit fibrogenesis, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, to reduce scarring by reducing the initial inflammation. The authors reasoned that the topical application of these 2 agents may have a complementary effect on scar reduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Captopril (ACE inhibitor), celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor), or a combination of captopril and celecoxib were topically applied to a skin wound in a rabbit ear, and investigated for the effects on scar formation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of scar elevation decreased in the captopril group and the level of infiltration of inflammatory cells decreased in the celecoxib group. In the group where a combination of the 2 drugs was used, the level of scar elevation decreased the most, and collagen deposition and organization returned to normal most rapidly. Celecoxib was found to inhibit the initial inflammation in the ear wound of the rabbit, and captopril inhibited scar elevation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical application of these drugs will require further studies with regard to adverse events and their absorptivity as topical agents. However, these findings suggest that the combined topical administration of an ACE inhibitor and COX-2 inhibitor to a skin wound could be an effective treatment for the prevention of hypertrophic scarring. ﻿﻿﻿.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors: Do Yup
authors: DY
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors: Yea Sik
authors: YS
authors: Han
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Korea; Department of Pathology, Kosin University Gospel Hospital,Busan, Korea.
authors: Sin Rak
authors: SR
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Pathology, Kosin University Gospel Hospital,Busan, Korea.
authors: Bong Kwon
authors: BK
authors: Chun
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Busan, Korea; email: atreyue@naver.com.
authors: Jin Hyung
authors: JH
authors: Park