The effects of topical or intravenous tranexamic acid on wound healing in rats

Objective: Wound healing continues to be a major problem throughout history, both major traumas and major surgical interventions. TA is commonly used intravenously or topically in surgical operations to limit bleeding. Due to its antifibrinolytic properties, TA; blocks the dissolution of the early fibrin plug in the wound site. This study aims to evaluate the morphological and histological effects of TA on wound healing in a rat wound model. Materials and Methods: In this study, 24 adult male Wistar Albino rats were used. All rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 was treated with saline solution after wound formation. Group 2 was treated with topical TA. In group 3, intravenous TA was applied before the wound was created and then the wound was created. The wound diameters of the groups were photographed on certain days (0-3-7-10-14). After 14 days, the process was completed and sacrificed. Histopathological results and wound diameters were compared. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the lymphocyte count, PMNL and scar thickness values of group 1, group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.087; p = 0.994; p = 0.098). A statistically significant difference was observed between group 1, group 2 and group 3 fibroblast count values (p = 0.018). Group 1 fibroblast count values were significantly lower than group 2 (p = 0.002), but no statistically significant difference was observed between the other groups (p = 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between group 1, group 2 and group 3 scar density (%) values (p = 0.049). Scar density (%) values of group 1 were found to be significantly higher than group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.016, p = 0.044). There was no statistically significant difference between the wound diameter 3rd and 7th day values of group 1, group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.074, p = 0.978). There was a statistically significant difference between the wound diameter 10th day values of group 1, group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.0001). Group 1 wound diameter 10th day values were significantly higher than group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.001); There was no statistically significant difference between group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.998). Statistically significant difference was observed between group 1, group 2 and group 3 wound diameter 14th day values (p = 0.0001). Group 1 wound diameter 14th day values were significantly higher than group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.001, p = 0.0001); There was no statistically significant difference between group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.144). Conclusions: Topical or intravenous administration of TA has a positive effect on wound healing. KEY WORDS, tranexamic acid, wound healing, rat