The effects of melatonin on the healing of burn wounds in pinealectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to investigate the favorable effects of melatonin on burn wound healing in rats. METHODS: In this study, forty Wistar-albino-type male rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was the control group, Group 2 rats were treated using exogenous melatonin, Group 3 rats were pinealectomized, and Group 4 rats were pinealectomized then treated with exogenous melatonin. In all groups, a deep second-degree burn was created on the backs of the rats with a metal plate heated in boiling water. We monitored the progress of burn healing for seven days. At the end of them, we evaluated hydroxyproline levels, type III collagen, edema, inflammatory infiltration, congestion, vascular proliferation, fibrosis, the thickness of the zone of stasis and the epithelium to assess the progress of healing. RESULTS: The zone of stasis was less thick in Group 2 than the other groups (p=0.009). Type III collagen dyeing (p=0.031), fibrosis (p=0.011) and edema (p=0.031) were higher in Group 2 than the other groups. Congestion was higher in the control group than Group 4 (p=0.031). Other evaluated parameters showed no significant differences among the groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was noted that once total melatonin levels exceeded a certain threshold, a preventive effect was exerted on burn wound damage progression by reducing the zone of stasis. Melatonin may also prevent the development of hypertrophic scarring. Melatonin may be a potential therapeutic option that can supplement traditional treatment in burn wounds; however, further studies with higher doses of exogenous melatonin administered over longer periods are needed to further evaluate the effects noted in this study.

Ethyl Alcohol Versus Botulinum Toxin A: A Comparative Study of the Visual and Histopathological Outcomes in the Rabbit Anterior Auricular Muscle Model.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin has long been known for its paralytic effects at the neuromuscular junction. Although it has been widely used for vascular and nervous tissues, there has been no study of the aesthetic effects of the application of ethanol to muscle tissues to date. OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to demonstrate the effects of the application of ethanol to muscle tissues after an intramuscular injection and to compare the effects of botulinum toxin A (BTA) and ethanol. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 28 rabbits were divided into 4 groups (n = 7 each). Botulinum toxin A (5 units) and different concentrations of ethanol (5 cc) were injected into the left and right anterior auricular muscles of all rabbits, respectively. Ear ptosis was assessed, and histopathological examination was performed after all rabbits were euthanized in the eighth week. RESULTS: Muscle function was affected earlier in ethanol-treated ears than in botulinum-treated ears; however, the ptotic effect lasted for a significantly shorter duration in ethanol-injected ears than in BTA-applied ears. CONCLUSION: Ethanol can block muscle function reversibly and can serve as an alternative to BTA, particularly when rapid results are desirable.

An unusual cause of cold injury: liquified petroleum gas leakage.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is an odorless and colorless gas that is a mixture of hydrocarbons (propane and butane). It is now more commonly preferred among drivers as an auto-gas throughout the world because it is cheaper than petrol or diesel and produces the same amount of energy. Because of its rapid vaporization and consequent lowering of temperature, it may cause severe cold injuries. A 33-year-old male who suffered from hand burn due to LPG is presented in this article. In LPG-converted cars, if the conversion has not been done properly, LPG may leak. Thus, the public must be informed of this potential danger while undertaking repairs of their vehicles.