title: Topical Nicotinamide Improves Tissue Regeneration in Excisional Full-Thickness Skin Wounds: A Stereological and Pathological Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nicotinamide (NA), the active form of vitamin-B3, is hypothesized to have positive effects on the process of wound healing; it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, as well as an epithelization inducing action.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of topical administration of NA on skin wounds, based on histomorphometrical and pathological criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats (220 ± 20 g each), with 1 cm(2) circular full-thickness wounds on their backs were divided into three groups (n = 12): NA group, was treated daily with a Nicotinamide 2% gel , untreated group (control), and base group, which were treated with the vehicle (base) of the gel (carboxymethylcellulose). Skin biopsies were prepared for microscopic analyses. Inflammation, granulation tissue formation, ulceration, epithelization, wound closure rate, fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and vascularization were studied criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed that besides improving the wound healing by its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and epithelization inducing effects, NA also improved tissue regeneration through the increment of fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and vascularization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of the few reported side effects, NA can be introduced as an effective agent on the wound healing process, an adjuvant therapy and possibly a treatment by itself. However, its chemical characteristics, as well as possible adverse effects warrants further research.
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Soheil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ashkani Esfahani
authors.affiliation: Medicinal and Natural Product Chemistry Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mahsima
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khoshneviszadeh
authors.affiliation: Skin Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Namazi
authors.affiliation: Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noorafshan
authors.affiliation: Organ Transplant Research Center, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Bita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geramizadeh
authors.affiliation: Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nadimi
authors.affiliation: Payam-e-Nour University, Shiraz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyedeh Tahereh
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Razavipour
keywords: Guided Tissue Regeneration; Nicotinamide; Pathology; Wound
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