RESUMO
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. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of topical administration of NA on skin wounds, based on histomorphometrical and pathological criteria. MATERIALS AND 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.