Influence of hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone on wound healing parameters on Nigerian indigenous dogs

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex activity of several cells with their products leading to tissue regeneration and repair. Twelve indigenous breeds of dogs were randomly grouped into groups I, II, III and IV of 3 dogs each. Excisional and incisional wounds were surgically created on the left and right sides respectively. The dogs in Group I were administered normal saline while Groups II, III and IV were given hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone respectively at 1.0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg intramuscularly post-wounding. The wounds were cleaned and assessed for epthelialisation, contraction and pus formation. RESULT: The wound dimensions from insult of excisional wound, increased steadily to peak (10.34 cm²) at 10th day in the control, (12.21 cm²⁾ 17^th day; (11.97 cm²) 12t^h day and (13.87 cm²) 17^th day post-wounding in the hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone treated groups respectively. Maximum contraction was recorded at 33rd day (3.52 cm²) in the control, 40^th days (3.55 cm²), 30th (3.86 cm²) and 42^nd (3.98 cm²) in the hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone groups respectively with insignificant statistical difference.  The wound dimensions from the insult in the incisional wounds increases steadily to peak (6.31 cm²) at 7^th day in the control; (7.51 cm²) 10th day; (6.81 cm²) 12th day and (8.38 cm²) 10th day post-wounding in the hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and methylprednisolone treated groups respectively. Maximum contraction was recorded after complete epithelialisation at 24th day (2.32 cm²) in the control, 21st days (3.58 cm²), and 26^th (2.39 cm²) and 31^st (3.32 cm²) in the hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and methylprednisolone groups respectively with insignificant statistical difference (p<0.05). The administration of steroids (anti-inflamatory) does not prevent wound retraction especially with the use of methylprednisolone, however, the dexamethasone treated group had the least scar size post healing.