The Effects of Colchicine Treatment on Wound Healing in a Caustic Murine Injury Model

Abstract

Objective: The present study determined the effects of colchicine on wound repair in a murine model of dermal chemical injury. Methods: Standardized 4.15 cm² circular lesions were induced on the dorsum of adult male mice with NaOH. Five minutes of IN or 3N caused lesions of graded depth. Mice received colchicine (1 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline intraperitoneally in equivalent volumes. Treatment began immediately postinjury and was continued on an alternating day schedule for 14 days. Wound size was measured every third day postinjury. On day 15 postinjury, wounds were histologically graded for depth of injury, degree of fibrosis, inflammatory cell response, and revascularization. All histological determinations and wound measurements were performed in a blinded fashion. Results: All mice had a similar initial wound size and completed the experimental protocol. In dermal wounds of superficial depth, colchicine-treated mice (n = 20) had a larger wound size during days 6 through 9 of the experimental trial when compared to phosphate-buffered saline-treated mice (n = 18). In the deeper wounds, there were no significant differences in wound size between colchicine and phosphate-buffered saline-treated groups. Colchicine (n = 54) did not affect the degree of fibrosis at all depths of injury vs phosphate-buffered saline treatment in mice (n = 55). The degree of wound revascularization was less in colchicine-treated mice (n = 54) than phosphate-buffered saline-treated mice (n = 55).Conclusion: Colchicine did not improve wound healing in an alkaline-induced dermal injury.