Compound 48/80 and the healing of wounds in rats. The effect of timing of drug injections

Wound breaking strength was measured in Long-Evans rats in two settings: in one experiment animals received Compound 48/80 i.p. for 8 consecutive days, starting 1 day before infliction of wound and in the second experiment 48/80 was given for 6 days before wounding. Wound breaking strength was always measured on the seventh day after wounding. There was a significant increase in wound breaking strength in animals treated before incision was made, as compared to controls, saline-treated animals (p<0.01). When 48/80 was given one day before incision was made, the breaking strength was significantly decreased (p<0.0002). Possible explanation for these opposite results is discussed.