IN the steroid treated rat no beneficial effect of topical or parenteral Vitamin A could be demonstrated. In this animal study,
there was a significant beneficial effect from an alternate day steroid versus a daily steroid regime.
If confirmed in a clinical study, alternate day steroids might be beneficial in a steroid dependent patient undergoing surgery.
It is well known that corticosteroids inhibit collagen synthesis and retard wound healing when given prior to, or soon after,
injury (Ehrlich and Haut, 1969). Parameters of collagen synthesis and fibre orientation such as wound tensile strength and
healing of open wounds are all significantly reduced in the steroid treated wound (Ehrlichet al, 1974). Also, inflammatory markers such as leukocyte infiltration, neo-capillary budding, collagen fibre and hydroxyprolene
content are all reduced in corticosteroid treated rat wounds (Ehrlichet al, 1974; Salmela and Ahonen, 1981).
Vitamin A may reverse this potentially serious side effect of corticosteroids whilst preserving their beneficial action. Recent
work has suggested that this may be only when Vitamin A is given in toxic doses and only for a short period (Salmela, 1981).
It has also been suggested that Vitamin A increases the collagen content of polyvinyl alcohol sponge implants (Seifter, 1075).
However, this effect has not been substantiated and its only effect may be on the reversal of corticosteroid treated inhibition
of wound healing.
This experimental study has arisen out of a clinical need to know what effect topical and parenteral Vitamin A has on wound
tensile strength and wound healing in a steroid treated rat animal model.
We are grateful to Dr. George Kear, Department of Anatomy, University College, Cork, for his work in planimetry.