Effect of activated protein C in second intention healing of equine distal limb wounds: a preliminary study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effect of activated protein C (APC) on second intention healing of distal limb wounds in horses.

METHODS:

In this experimental study of eight Standardbred geldings, six full-thickness skin wounds (2 × 1.5 cm) were created on one metacarpus (biopsy limb) and five similar wounds were created on the contralateral metacarpus (photographed limb). Three wounds on the biopsy limb were treated topically with 190 µg APC on days 1, 3, 6 and 9, while the remaining three wounds were untreated (control). One treated and one control wound were biopsied on days 4, 7 and 11 for histopathology. Wounds on the photographed limb were treated with either 66% Manuka honey gel, a commercial antibiotic ointment (bacitracin-neomycin-polymixin B ointment; BNP) or petrolatum daily throughout healing, treated on days 1,3,6 and 9 with 190 µg APC or left untreated. These wounds were digitally photographed and the wound area measured on day 1, then weekly until day 49. Overall time to healing was recorded.

RESULTS:

There was no effect of APC on wound size, the rate of healing or the overall time to heal. However, compared with control wounds, histological scoring demonstrated enhanced epithelialisation (day 4) and angiogenesis (day 11). Wound healing variables for wounds treated with APC, Manuka honey gel and control wounds were not different and the variables for wounds treated with BNP and petrolatum demonstrated delayed healing.

CONCLUSION:

The improvements in histological scores in APC-treated wounds suggest further study into the effect of APC on second intention wound healing in horses is warranted.

• Authors: A S Bischofberger, A S Tsang, N Horadagoda, C M Dart, N R Perkins, L B Jeffcott, C J Jackson, A J Dart
• Journal: Australian veterinary journal (Aust Vet J) Vol. 93 Issue 10 Pg. 361-6 (Oct 2015) ISSN: 1751-0813 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26412117 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2015 Australian Veterinary Association.

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Anti-Infective Agents
• Drug Combinations
• Gels
• Protein C
• Recombinant Proteins
• Bacitracin
• bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B, drug combination
• Neomycin
• Polymyxin B
• drotrecogin alfa activated

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (pharmacology)
• Anti-Infective Agents (pharmacology)
• Bacitracin (pharmacology)
• Drug Combinations
• Gels
• Honey
• Horses
• Lower Extremity (injuries, physiopathology)
• Male
• Neomycin (pharmacology)
• Photography
• Polymyxin B (pharmacology)
• Protein C (pharmacology)
• Random Allocation
• Recombinant Proteins (pharmacology)
• Skin (drug effects, injuries)
• Wound Healing (drug effects, physiology)