Increases in dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) content and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity in epidermal wound healing.

Alterations in NADH content and NAD-dependent dehydrogenase activity were determined in regenerating epithelium during wound healing in young guinea pigs. Regenerating epithelium exhibited increased levels of NADH. The migratory and proliferative phases of epidermal wound healing were characterized by increases in glycolytic enzyme activities, including an increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The maturation phase of epidermal wound healing was characterized by a maximal increase in alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GOPDH) activity. The contrasting changes in LDH and GOPDH activity suggest that increased levels of NADH are utilized first by LDH in glycolysis during epidermal migration and proliferation and then by GOPDH in triacylglycerol synthesis during epidermal differentiation.