Vanesa Ivetić Tkalčević

Differential evaluation of excisional non-occluded wound healing in db/db mice.

The full-thickness wound in the genetically diabetic (db/db) mouse is a commonly used model of impaired wound healing. We investigated delayed healing of non-occluded, excisional, full-thickness, dermal wounds in db/db mice in comparison to their normal littermate controls and refined methods for monitoring skin wound re-epithelialization, contraction, granulation tissue formation, and inflammation. We have confirmed with a computer-assisted planimetry method the results of previous studies showing that healing of non-occluded full excision wounds in db/db mice does not occur by contraction as much as in healthy mice. In addition, we have developed separate histological methods for the assessment of re-epithelialization, contraction, granulation tissue (mature, immature, fibrosis), and inflammation (lipogranulomas, secondary, nonspecific). Using a new approach to histological assessment, we have shown that wound closure in db/db mice is delayed owing to: (1) delayed granulation tissue maturation; (2) ‘‘laced,’’ widely distributed granulation tissue around fat lobules; and (3) obstruction by lipogranulomas, whereas the rate of re-epithelialization seems to be the same as in C57Bl/6 mice. This methodology should permit a more precise differentiation of effects of novel therapeutic agents on the wound healing process in db/db mice.

The anti-inflammatory activity of clarithromycin inhibits TNFα production and prolongs survival following lipopolysaccharide administration in mice

Fig. 1. (A) Effect of oral clarithromycin treatment on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF ) concentrations in mouse plasma after intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge (25 g/animal). Data are presented as values for individual mice (dots or triangles) and median group values (lines). *Significant decrease in comparison with vehicle-treated and LPSchallenged mice (Kruskal–Wallis followed by Dunn’s multiple comparison test; P < 0.05). (B) Effect of oral clarithromycin (100 mg/kg dose) on surLetters to the Editor / International Jour

Immunomodulatory effects of azithromycin on serum amyloid A production in lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia in mice

Immunomodulatory effects of azithromycin on serum amyloid A production in lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia in mice