Beneficial Effects of Lipoic Acid on Post-burn Hypertrophic Scarring Model

摘要

Background and Objective: Hypertrophic scar (HTS) is a fibroproliferative disorder which develops from thermal or traumatic injury. The present experiment was intended to evaluate the beneficial effect (anti-scarring) of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) against post burn hyperscarring rabbit ear model. Materials and Methods: Rabbits were separated into four groups as negative control- HTS group rabbits were induced with full thickness burn wound using a 7 mm red hot plate (100°C). While, the HTS induced rabbits were treated topically with 5, 10 and 20 % ALA, respectively from the 8th day until 28 days. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) with a significance level of 5%. Results: The contents of collagen (type I and III), as well as glycosaminoglycans (hydroxyproline and hexosamine),were significantly decreased upon treatment with a different dose of ALA. All the irregular/abnormal histological changes were reverted to normal (regular collagen fibres and lesser fibroblast) on addition with ALA in dose concentration fashion. Topical application of ALA for 21 days considerably lowered the scar elevation index (SEI). Moreover, treatment with ALA could markedly up regulate or down-regulate the protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), respectively. Conclusion: The topical application of ALA could drastically lower the scarring area after a thermal wound in a dosedependent manner. Hence, ALA can be recommended for treating various injury scar especially post-burn hypertrophic scar with standard anti-scarring agents.