A model for studies of dermal surface epithelization: with observations on the effects of dexamethasone and nandrolone decanoate.

Experiments were designed to study the events of cell proliferation and migration during epithelization of an intact dermal surface in man. Epidermis was removed by prolonged suction and epithelization was followed by serial skin biopsies. DNA-synthesis and migration of labelled cells were followed by radioautography. Migration and cell proliferation were not found to be exclusive events in this model. Dexamethasone applied locally in a cream base was found to delay epithelization and nandrolone decanoate was found to counteract this to some extent. The model can be used in studies on effects of drugs on events involved in epithelization.