Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic ulcers especially foot ulcers and the delay in their healing is a major problem faced by most diabetic patients. Based on data available on the positive role of estrogen in accelerating wound healing, this research aimed at assessing the possible effect of topical estrogen on wound healing in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six male wistar rats were divided into two groups (normal and diabetic) and each group was divided into 3 subgroups (control, sham and test). A circular full- thickness wound with a diameter of 1.5 cm was created on the backs of streptozotocin(stz)- induced diabetic and intact rats. In the test subgroup, the wounds were treated with a daily topical dose of 0.5 mg estrogen and in the sham subgroup, gentamicin ointment (dose 0.5 g) was used. The process of wound healing was assessed by macroscopic and microscopic studies on days 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Results: The macroscopic study, showed delays in healing of the diabetic group in comparison with the normal group and after the seventh day, wound healing showed considerable change in the test subgroup in both normal and diabetic rats (p<0.05). In the normal group microscopic study, the only parameter which did not show any differerence was granulation tissue organization however increasing of neoangiogenesis and re-epithelization was observed in the test subgroup. Also, in the diabetic group, the estrogen receiving subgroup showed impressive improvement compared to the sham subgroup. Conclusion: Topical that estrogen can accelerate the process healing of diabetic wounds.