In this study, the protective prophylactic and post-exposure effects of novel topical
iodine preparations were demonstrated upon heat- and
hydrofluoric acid-induced skin lesions in the haired guinea pig. Prophylactic treatment of thermal bums with a liquid
iodine preparation resulted in statistically significant reductions of 39% and 30%, respectively, in acute
inflammation and
hemorrhage-microscopic dermal parameters indicative of acute tissue damage. A clear trend of
iodine-induced reduction in dermal
necrosis occurred, and the epidermal healing markers, acanthosis and hyperkeratosis, were increased. Postexposure treatment of thermal
burns with an
iodine ointment preparation immediately after occurrence also conferred significant therapeutic reduction in parameters of tissue damage such as epidermal ulceration (87%), acute
inflammation (58%), and
hemorrhage (30%). Gross pathological evaluation showed that prophylactic and postexposure treatments with the liquid
iodine preparation significantly reduced the heat-induced ulceration area by 97% and 65%, respectively. In addition, immediate treatment with an
ointment iodine formulation significantly decreased the ulceration area by 98%; its
tetraglycol vehicle also had a beneficial effect. Postexposure treatment with the
iodine ointment proved efficacious upon
hydrofluoric acid-induced skin
burns. We observed statistically significant reductions of 76% and 68% in ulceration areas at intervals of 5 and 10 minutes between exposure and treatment, whereas a weaker effect was observed at a longer time interval of 15 minutes. Our findings suggest the therapeutic usage of these newly developed
iodine preparations for thermally induced and
hydrofluoric acid-induced skin
burns.