Objective: The role of insulin in the regulation of energy metabolism, protein synthesis, cell differentiation and growth suggests that this hormone could also play an essential role in regulation of wound healing. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of topical insulin administration on burn wound healing in both non-diabetic and streptozocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats.
Methods: Wound healing activity was assessed by burn-wound model. This study was conducted using six groups of Wistar strain adult rats of either sex (n = 6). First three groups were non-diabetic (ND) rats and the other three had diabetic (D) rats: (i) ND control (sterile water); (ii) ND standard (silver sulfadiazine cream); (iii) ND test (topical Insulin); (iv) D control (sterile water); (v) D standard (silver sulfadiazine cream); (vi) D test (topical insulin). Wound healing was assessed by wound contraction rate and complete epithelialization time.
Results: There was significant (p<0.05) delay in wound healing in diabetic rats when compared to normal rats. It was found that topical insulin administration enhanced burn wound healing by shortening the time needed for complete epithelialization in the non-diabetic and diabetic group.
Conclusion: This study revealed that topical insulin application to partial thickness burn wounds accelerates wound healing in rats with or without acute diabetes
