Inhibition of wound contraction with locally injected lathyrogenic drugs

Background Previous studies using systematically administered lathyrogens to inhibit wound contractures have produced inconsistent results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lathyrogenic drugs on wound contraction when injected locally. Methods Two symmetrical full-thickness wounds were made on the dorsum of either side of hairless (hr/hr) mice; thus, each animal served as its own control. Animals were divided into groups receiving daily local injections of betaaminopropionitrile or D-penicillamine, or both beta-aminopropionitrile and D-penicillamine and normal saline vehicle (control side) for 5 or 10 days. The rate of contraction was determined by serial measurements of the surface area of each wound during the treatment period. At the end of the treatment period, the wounds were excised en bloc with the chest wall and prepared for blinded histological analysis. Granulation tissue thickness, number of fibroblasts in granulation tissue per unit area, number of inflammatory cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages and mast cells) in subjacent muscle per unit area, and collagen deposition in subjacent muscle were determined. Results Wound contraction, granulation tissue thickness, and collagen deposition in subjacent muscle were decreased only in wounds treated with beta-aminopropionitrile plus D-penicillamine. Collagen deposition in subjacent muscle was also decreased in wounds treated with D-penicillamine alone. Neither drug alone nor the combination affected the number of inflammatory cells in subjacent muscle. Body weight was not affected by the experimental procedures. Conclusions The combination of beta-aminopropionitrile and D-penicillamine is potentially useful for inhibiting contracture formation when injected locally. Am J Surg. 1997;174:347-350.