The Effects of Topical Insulin Application on Wound Healing

The process of wound healing is a dynamic event during which the stages of fibroplasia, angiogenesis, and re-epithelization perfectly take place. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of wound irrigation by normal saline and topical insulin application, which we frequently use in clinical practice, on wound healing. The study covers a total of 20 male rats - 10 for the insulin group and 10 for the control group. The first group received topical insulin application while the second group had irrigation by normal saline. The macroscopic outlook, collagen production, and wound contraction rates in the animals wounds were checked at the end of day 20. The rate of wound closing was found to be higher in the topical insulin group than the NS group at all times. Further, the period of complete wound closing was shorter than the insulin group. Histopathological analysis revealed that the ulceration and inflammation were localized in the subepithelial field in the skin cross-sections of the insulin group and that there was a significant increase in collagen bundles. Thus, we think that insulin can be an alternative to normal saline application specifically in chronic wounds related to diabetes and post-op wound care.