Rat models of skin wound healing: A review

Abstract

Rats have been widely used in the study of skin wound healing and the efficacy of different treatment modalities. This particular animal species is often selected for its availability, low cost, and small size. To define the current use of rat skin wound healing models, this manuscript provides a review of articles published between 2000 and 2003 that chose rats as their research animals. Of the 55 articles reviewed, it was found that 38.2% of the studies used incisional models and 38.2% used excisional models, with some studies using combinations. The majority of the studies (78.2%) used the rat's dorsum as the wound location. Male Sprague Dawley in the 250-300 gram weight range were the most preferred rats. Sodium pentobarbital/ pentobarbitone was the most commonly used anesthetic choice. Similarities and differences in the selected experimental conditions are noted and questions are raised with regard to comparability between studies and the ability to transfer the data from the animal model to the human clinical situation. Attempts to compare studies for the advancement of wound healing knowledge are being hampered by the differences found between the studies. Standardization in reporting could facilitate comparisons and may instigate additional research that favors the inevitable comparisons between the studies. Thus, universal reporting requirements need to be developed for animal wound healing studies. (WOUND REP REG 2004;12:591-599)

Nano-formulated curcumin accelerates acute wound healing through Dkk-1-mediated fibroblast mobilization and MCP-1-mediated anti-inflammation

“…However, as a looseskinned animal, the rat does not perfectly mimic human skin wound healing mostly due to post-wounding contracture caused by an extensive subcutaneous striated muscle layer (panniculus carnosus), which is largely absent in humans. 40 Our observations, however, showed a positive effect of curcumin mainly in the later stages of wound healing, so this limitation of the model is not as pronounced in this case. The improved healing process in this model also provides sound evidence of the enhanced bioavailability of curcumin from our nanoformulation.…”

Low-Level Laser Therapy with 810 nm Wavelength Improves Skin Wound Healing in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

“…9,10,13 Wound TS measurement and histology have been shown in numerous experimental studies to be appropriate examination techniques for wound healing; therefore, we decided to use these outcomes to evaluate the effects of LLLT on skin repair in diabetic rats using two basic wound healing models (incisional and excisional). 18 …”

A Model of Free Tissue Transfer: The Rat Epigastric Free Flap

“…The rat epigastric free flap can be used in experimental studies of tissue perfusion, tissue repair and surgical wound infection 40,41 . Its nutrient vessels are particularly suitable for intravascular injection of solutions containing substances of interest, namely drugs, viral vectors or liposomes, that will mostly produce a local or regional effect 30,31 .…”