The effect of pentoxifylline on the healing of full-thickness skin defects of diabetic and normal rats

Abstract.

In this paper, the effects of systemic pentoxifylline administration on normal and diabetic wound healing are studied. Twenty-four normoglycemic and 24 diabetic rats were compared, exploring the healing of standardized (15×15 mm) full-thickness wounds by secondary intention. Twelve rats of both groups received intraperitoneal pentoxifylline 10 mg/kg per day. The strength of the healed tissues was evaluated by straining tests, the healing time of each wound was recorded, and the healed tissues were examined histologically. In the diabetic group, the only significant difference between the rats receiving pentoxifylline and the others was the shortened healing time. Pentoxifylline significantly reduced the time needed for complete epithelization and also increased the tensile strength significantly in normoglycemic rats. As expected, significant differences were recorded between the normoglycemic and diabetic rats regarding healing time and scar tissue strength. In conclusion, systemic pentoxifylline administration may be helpful in shortening the healing time of full-thickness wounds both in diabetic and normoglycemic patients, and it can increase the tensile strength of the healed wound in normoglycemic organisms.