Decreased fibroblast proliferation and collagen content in the wound of diabetic rats caused by streptozotocin

AIM: To study fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis during wound healing in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin. METHODS: 30 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into control group and model group. 55 mg/kg STZ were given intraperitoneally to model rats. After 3 weeks, a round skin of 2.04 cm2 was excised on all dorsal back of rats. The healing time and healing rate were observed according to re-epithelization. The numbers of fibroblasts and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were observed by Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and immuno-histochemistry assay. Collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ stained by Picric acid-Sirius red were calculated by image analysis. RESULTS: The healing time in model group was (27.13±1.81) days，significantly longer than that in control group ［(15.25±1.67） days， P<0.01］. The healing rates in model group were significantly less than that in control group at day 3, day 7 and day 15 (P<0.01). The amount of fibroblasts and the expression of PCNA in model group were significantly less than those in control group on day 3, day 5, day 7 and day 9, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). Even the content of collagen I in the wound of both groups increased with time, the values were much higher than that in model group at different times (P<0.05), respectively. For model group, the ratio of collagen Ⅰ/Ⅲ was less than that in control group 3, 7 and 11 days after wound (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: STZ impaires wound healing in rats, which is possible caused by the disturbance of fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in the wound.