What inhibits wound contraction?

From the Guidelines

The answer is (a) glucocorticoids, as they are potent inhibitors of wound contraction, which is a critical phase in the wound healing process. They work by suppressing inflammation, inhibiting fibroblast proliferation, and reducing collagen synthesis and deposition. These effects directly interfere with the myofibroblast activity necessary for wound contraction. Glucocorticoids also decrease the production of growth factors and cytokines essential for proper wound healing. This is why long-term glucocorticoid therapy can lead to delayed wound healing and increased risk of wound complications. The other options - d-penicillamine, colchicine, and aspirin - while having various effects on inflammation or collagen metabolism, do not have the same direct and potent inhibitory effect on wound contraction as glucocorticoids.

Key Points

• Glucocorticoids suppress inflammation and inhibit fibroblast proliferation, reducing collagen synthesis and deposition 1.
• Glucocorticoids decrease the production of growth factors and cytokines essential for proper wound healing, leading to delayed wound healing and increased risk of wound complications 1.
• Other options, such as d-penicillamine, colchicine, and aspirin, do not have the same direct and potent inhibitory effect on wound contraction as glucocorticoids 1.

Wound Contraction Inhibitors

• Glucocorticoids are the most potent inhibitors of wound contraction, making them a critical consideration in wound healing 1.
• Other factors, such as NSAIDs, may affect wound healing, but their impact on wound contraction is not as significant as that of glucocorticoids 1.

Clinical Implications

• Long-term glucocorticoid therapy can lead to delayed wound healing and increased risk of wound complications, making it essential to carefully consider the use of these medications in patients with wounds 1.
• Clinicians should be aware of the potential effects of glucocorticoids on wound contraction and take steps to minimize their use or mitigate their impact on wound healing 1.

From the Research

Inhibitors of Wound Contraction

• Colchicine is a microtubule-disassembling drug that has been shown to inhibit microtubule polymerization, which affects various cellular processes including cell migration and contraction 2, 3, 4.
• The RhoA/Rho-associated kinase pathway plays a crucial role in wound healing and scar contracture, and inhibition of this pathway has been shown to hinder fibroblast contractility and prevent scar contracture 5.
• Other inhibitors of wound contraction include:
  • Fasudil, a Rho-associated kinase inhibitor, which has been demonstrated to inhibit wound contraction in a rat model of dermal wound healing 5.
  • ALK5 inhibitor A-83-01, which reduces burn wound contraction in rats by suppressing myofibroblast population 6.
• Among the given options, colchicine (c) is an inhibitor of microtubule polymerization and can be considered as an inhibitor of wound contraction due to its effects on cell migration and contraction 2, 3, 4.