Figure 6
Both c(RGDf[NMe]V) and RGDechiHCit slowed down the closure of full thickness punch biopsy wounds. Three to five rats were analyzed at each time point. Gross appearance (representative digital photographs, light blue bar: 1 cm) after 5 days of the wound treated with pluronic gel containing c(RGDf-[NMe]V), RGDechiHCit (10-6M) or saline. Diagram of the kinetics of wound closure; * = p < 0.05 vs Control; # = p < 0.05 vs c(RGDf-[NMe]V, ANOVA). Error bars show SEM. Representative sections (5 μm) of wounds excised 8 days after surgery (see Methods): Hematoxylin & Eosin, Lectin immunohistochemistry, Masson's trichrome; black bar: 100 μm. Histological analysis revealed a retarded repair pattern in treated rats, which is consistent with inhibition of angiogenesis in the granulation tissue. In particular, in control animals, epidermal cell growth achieved complete re-epitalization (green arrowheads) and there was a well defined and organized fibrous core of scar tissue. Both in c(RGDf[NMe]V) and RGDechiHCit treated rats there was a chronic inflammatory infiltrate (red arrows) and lectin staining showed (in brown) the presence of vessels in the granulation tissue.