Objective: 

Cutaneous wound healing is a highly complex process, which includes inflammation, cell proliferation, matrix deposition and remodeling phases. Various growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), play an important role during wound healing. However, little is known about relationship between EGF and antioxidant events in cutaneous wound healing models. Thus, we planned to evaluate the relationship between EGF therapy and oxidative stress in the rats.

Methods: 

Fifty-four adult male Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Unwounded (n=6), untreated (n=24) and topical EGF administrated (n=24) group. The animals were sacrificed and wound tissues were collected on days 1, 5, 7 and 14. Glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured spectrophotometrically. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA variance Analysis.

Results: 

Although there was no significant alteration in SOD activity and AA levels of the EGF therapy group, GSH levels increased when compared to the respective control on the 14th day after operation in EGF administered group.

Conclusions: 

EGF may suggest a potentially effective role for antioxidant therapies by contributing in late stages of healing of the wound tissue. However, the exact mechanism of the process whereby EGF enhances antioxidant status in wound tissue remains to be clarified by further experimental studies.