Morphine enhances tissue content of collagen and increases wound tensile strength

Abstract

Purpose Morphine is a commonly prescribed analgesic for wound pain. Previous studies have shown that morphine enhances accumulation of collagen in cultured fibroblasts. Because fibroblasts are important for the remodeling of connective tissue in incisional wound, this study investigates the biological effects of morphine on cutaneous collagen content and wound tensile strength. Methods A full-thickness incisional wound (2 cm in length) was created on the dorsum of mice followed by treatment with placebo or morphine (5 and 20 mg/kg/day, i.p.). Fourteen days later, tensile strength of the healed incisional wound was measured using a tensiometer. Protein expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-b1 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 in the incisional wound tissue was analyzed. Degree of tissue remodeling and levels of collagen were determined by histological examination and a dye-binding collagen assay, respectively. Results Morphine enhanced the breaking strength of incisional wound 14 days after treatment (92 ± 10, 102 ± 10 and 134 ± 12 mg for control, morphine 5 mg/ kg/day and morphine 20 mg/kg/day, respectively; P = 0.03, n = 6-7). Protein expression of TGF-b1 and MMP-2 was significantly enhanced in mice treated with morphine.

The Role of Wound Healing and Its Everyday Application in Plastic Surgery

“…71,80–84 The relationship between mechanical stress and collagen dynamics can have negative implications for scar formation. 21,50,58,87,88 This is supported by the increased incidence of abnormal scar formation in areas subject to the most movement, such as the scapular region and chest. 69,89,90 Minimization of movement over these areas has been shown to reduce the degree of abnormal scarring.…”

“…35,40,42,45,50 This step improves the tensile strength of incisional wounds because the fibers bind to cell-membrane proteins across the wound interface. 51,52 The fibers, therefore, act as a bridge between the 2 wound edges and provide significant resistance to tensile force (Fig.…”

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases, type IV collagen, and interleukin‐10 in rabbits treated with morphine after lamellar keratectomy

“…The α‐5 fraction of type IV collagen plays an important role in corneal transparency 26 . Recent data demonstrated that systemic administration of morphine enhances tissue types I–IV collagen deposition in the cutaneous tissue, increasing tensile strength of the incisional wound 27 …”

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment Improves Incisional Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats

“…Healing of a surgical incision is mainly dependent on the tissue collagen deposition (Chang et al 2010). A major element of healing in suture-closed wounds is the integration of newly deposited collagen with the residual dermal collagen fibers at the edges of the wound; therefore collagen contributes a lot to the restoration of wound strength.…”