Sucrose has no beneficial effects on wound healing in rats.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of sucrose treatment on the formation of granulation tissue in a standard wound model.

DESIGN

Animal study.

SETTING

University hospital, Finland.

ANIMALS

32 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 4 groups.

INTERVENTIONS

Implantation of viscose cellulose sponge subcutaneously, and daily injection of three concentrations of sucrose (0.01, 0.1 or 1 M) or vehicle for 7 days.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The amount of granulation tissue measured by chemical analysis and histology. The amount and distribution of types I and III collagen assayed by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

None of the three concentrations altered the amounts of DNA, RNA, hydroxyproline, nitrogen, hexosamines, and uronic acids in granulation tissue. Neither improvement nor deterioration was seen in the growth of granulation tissue in histological specimens. The amount and distribution of types I and III collagen was similar in controls and sucrose-treated rats. Type III collagen was most abundant near newly-formed vessels. Neither sucrose nor fructose was found in wound fluid while the concentration of glucose was significantly lower in all test groups than in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Sucrose solution had neither beneficial nor deleterious effects on the amount of developing granulation tissue in an experimental wound model. The amount and distribution of types I and III collagens were also not altered by sucrose treatment.