Luis Espín; Bélgica Vázquez; Carolina Schencke; Cristian Sandoval & Mariano del Sol

To promote muscle repair and regeneration, different strategies have been developed, however, there is still no single accepted treatment. Research relates the therapeutic effects of honey in the wound healing process of various etiologies. Considering the above, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a formulation based on native honey (Ulmoplus®) in the repair of muscle injuries by surgical incision. Five rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were made an incision 20 mm long and 3 mm wide in the anterior region of each leg, crossing the epidermis, dermis and anterior tibial muscle, until reaching the tibia periosteum. The left leg of each animal was classified as a suture group (S) and the right leg as a suture group plus Ulmoplus® (S + U). Subsequently, Ulmoplus® was applied to the entire S + U group throughout the entire length of the wound. Then, in both groups, the incision was sutured with four intradermal points (vicryl 2/0). An animal was considered as a control to obtain histological images of the anterior tibial muscle without injury. At 10 days post incision, muscle biopsies were taken and subsequently processed for observation under a light microscope. The study was carried out considering the recommendations of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. At 10 days post incision, the injuries, in both groups of animals, were closed and without signs of infection. The anterior tibial muscle of the S group specimens was in the repair phase, with concomitant processes of phagocytosis of the necrotized tissue, myofiber regeneration and formation of scar connective tissue. The anterior tibial muscle of the animals of the S + U group was in the remodeling phase, since the muscular architecture was evidenced restored. Ulmoplus®, as an adjunct in the process of closing surgical wounds of skeletal muscle using conventional suture, is a good alternative, since it accelerates the muscle repair process and redu- ces scar connective tissue.

KEY WORDS: Rabbit; Muscle; Incision; Repair; Suture; Ulmoplus®.

ESPÍN, L.; VÁSQUEZ, B.; SCHENCKE, C.; SANDOVAL, C. & DEL SOL, M. Repair of muscle injuries by coadjugated surgical incision with a formulation based on native honey (Ulmoplus®). Experimental study on rabbit animal model (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Int. J. Morphol., 38(2):492-498, 2020.