The effects of topical treatment with curcumin on burn wound healing in rats.

The present study was designed to determine the role of topical treatment with curcumin (Cur) on burn wound healing in rats. The Wistar-albino rats were randomly allotted into one of three experimental groups: 4th, 8th and 12th day (post burn) and all groups include subgroups which Burn and Burn + Cur. Each group contains 12 animals. Burn wounds were made on the back of rat and Cur was administered topically. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed and the wound tissues removed for analyse to biochemical and histopathological changes. There was a significant increase in the hydroxyproline levels in the skin of the Cur groups. Cur treated wounds were found to heal much faster as indicated by improved rates of inflammatory cells, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation and epithelialization which were also confirmed by histopathological and biochemical examinations. Our data also indicate that there is a rise in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in skin tissues of Cur-treated rats in the Burn group. The results clearly substantiate the beneficial effects of the topical application of Cur in the acceleration of wound healing.

Protective effect of IGF-1 on experimental liver cirrhosis-induced common bile duct ligation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The causes of malnutrition in liver cirrhosis are multifactorial. Levels of IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor-1) that is a crucial regulator of intermediary metabolism decreases. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of IGF-1 supplementation during liver cirrhosis induced by common bile duct ligation. METHODOLOGY: Rats were divided into five different groups: One sham and four experimental groups. Rats in three of four groups were treated with 2 micrograms/day IGF-1 with a different time of experiment in each group. Blood biochemical parameters, tissue malondialdehyde, glutathione levels and the activity of tissue antioxidant enzymes and conventional and immunohistochemical analysis of liver samples were studied for each group. RESULTS: Serum albumin, total protein, fibrinogen levels decreased and prothrombin time was prolonged in the bile duct ligated and transected experimental group but not in the IGF-I treated rats compared with the rats in sham group. Liver malondialdehyde levels significantly increased in control group but not in IGF-1 treated groups. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were decreased compared with the other groups. Histopathology findings of liver biopsy demonstrated intense degree fibrosis and overexpression of fibroblast growth factor and desmin in the control group but a lesser degree of those in the IGF-1 treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-1 treatment improves liver function and decreases oxidative liver damage and histopathological findings. Further studies are required to delineate the mechanisms of protective effects of IGF-1.