Abstract
Thermoreversible gelation polymer (TGP), whose aqueous solution at room temperature turned into a hydrogel upon heating to body-temperature, was prepared and was tested as a wound dressing. A saline solution of TGP at a concentration of 10wt% (sol-gel transition temperature; 18°C) was cooled on ice and poured onto a full thickness skin wound (4×4 cm2) of rats. The TGP solution turned into a hydrogel within one minute due to being heated to the temperature of the wound surface. The wound covered with the TGP hydrogel secreted no exudate and healed in 4 weeks. Histopathological examination after one week demonstrated granulation was filled with fibroblasts and capillary vessels regenerated. On the other hand, the wound covered with a commercial hydrocolloid wound dressing (Comfeel®) secreted much exudate and healed in 6 weeks, and a few fibroblasts and a lot of inflamation cells were obsereved. These results suggest that the TGP hydrogel adheres wound surface closely with keeping it wet and prevents the exudate loss, and consequently promotes healing by providing the wound with good healing environment.
