The Effect of Local and Intraperitoneal Application of Nicotine on Skin Wound Healing in Rat

Wound healing is a complicated but regular process that includes synchronized and organized phenomena such as parenchyma cells migration, proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. Rate of wound healing is afected by various factros. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of local and intraperitoneal (IP) application of nicotine on wound healing. Albino male rats weighting 200-250 g. were used in this study. The rats were kept in standard cages. Food and water were available to them without any restriction, and room temperature was kept constant (20±2°C). Incision wounds (30 mm) were made on the shaved and cleaned back of the animals.In order to evaluate wound healing, measured values such as percentage of wound healing, healing time and tensile strength were used.Results of this study showed that:1- Duration of the wound healing increased in the animals recieving nicotine (both groups) as compared to the control group.2- Percentage of the wound healing in the nicotine treated groups decreased in days 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 in comparison with the control group.3- Different doses of nicotine did not show any significant difference on the wound healing.4- Local and IP application of nicotine had the same effect on reducing the rate of the wound healing.5- Tensile strength of the wounds decreased in the nicotine treated animals.Based on the above results, it could be concluded that nicotine has a negative effect on the wound healing process and reduces the rate of healing, and tensile strength of the wound.