The effect of uraemia upon wound healing: an experimental study.

Acute uraemia was induced in rats by performing a 70 per cent nephrectomy. Uraemia was shown to delay the healing of intestinal anastomoses and abdominal wounds in rats as judged by bursting strength tests. Cellular proliferation was depressed at wound edges but there was no reduction in the total amount of hydroxyproline present in the wounds. Fibroblast growth in tissue culture was affected by the addition both of uraemic plasma and of urea solution to the culture medium. The possible causes of these effects are discussed.