5α-Dihydrotestosterone enhances wound healing in diabetic rats

• Published in: Life sciences (1973) Vol. 152; pp. 67 - 75
• Main Authors: Gonçalves, Reggiani V., Novaes, Rômulo D., Sarandy, Mariáurea M., Damasceno, Eduardo M., da Matta, Sérgio L.P., de Gouveia, Neire M., Freitas, Mariella B., Espindola, Foued S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01-05-2016
• Subjects: 5α-Dihydrotestosterone; Animals; Antioxidant effect; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Cicatrix - pathology; Collagen Type I - metabolism; Collagen Type III - metabolism; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - complications; Dihydrotestosterone - pharmacology; Dihydrotestosterone - therapeutic use; Drug Compounding; Male; Mast cells; Mast Cells - drug effects; Protein Carbonylation - drug effects; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Skin - injuries; Skin stereological analysis; wound contraction; Wound Healing - drug effects; Skin stereological analysis; Antioxidant effect; wound contraction; Mast cells; Diabetes; 5α-Dihydrotestosterone
• ISSN: 0024-3205; 1879-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.03.019

Wound healing involves a complex interaction between the cells, extracellular matrix and oxidative response.
Analyze the effects of 5α-Dihydrotestosterone (5α-DTH) ointment in cutaneous wound healing by secondary intention in diabetic Wistar rats.
Rats (302.23±26.23g, n=48) were maintained in cages with food and water ad libitum in accordance with the Guiding Principles in the Use of Animal Ethics Committee. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60mg/kg). Three skin wounds (12mm diameter) were created on the animals' back, which were randomized into 6 groups according to the application received: VT group: Vehicle (lanolin), SA group: 0.9% saline solution, NC group: Non-diabetic, CP group: positive control (silver sulfadiazine 0001%), T1 group: Testosterone (10%), T2 group: Testosterone (20%) emulsified in lanolin. The applications were made daily within 21days, and tissues from different wounds were removed every 7days.
Both groups treated with testosterone (T1 and T2) showed a significantly higher proportion of type I and type III collagen fibers. Superoxide dismutase levels were significantly higher on days 7 and 14 in testosterone treated groups. Protein carbonyls and MDA were lower in both groups.
We conclude that groups treated with 5α-DTH showed a better healing pattern with complete wound closure, and proved to have a positive effect on the morphology of the scar tissue as well as an antioxidant stimulating effect during secondhand intention skin wounds repair in diabetic rats.