Wound healing on palatine mucosa in GK and Wistar rats

Objectives: We investigated the histological changes during the spontaneous healing and examined whether there were any differences in healing periods between the GK (diabetes group) and normal Wistar (control group) rats in the palatine mucosa lesion. Methods: A total of 43 rats (GK rats; 21, Wistar rats; 22) were used in this study. We introduced a cylindrical lesion 1.5 mm in diameter in the palatine mucosa near the right maxillary first molar by removing all of the soft tissue (21 in each group). One Wistar rat was not given a lesion and was observed about normal histological structures. Results: Immediately and one day after surgery; the experimental cavities of both groups were filled with blood clots. The mucosal epithelium converged on day 3 after surgery in the control group and on day 7 in the diabetes group. Granulation tissue was seen on day 5 in the control group and on day 7 in the diabetes group. Collagen fibers appeared on day 7 in the control group and on day 14 in the diabetes group. We observed the formation of sequestrum on days 14 and 28 in one of six rats in the control group and five of six in the diabetes group. Conclusion: Wound healing of the mucosal epithelium and lamina propria were delayed in the diabetes group compared with the control group. Furthermore, sequestrum formation occurred at a higher rate in GK rats.