Abstract
The morphological and molecular genetic characteristics of wound healing were investigated in male Wistar rats with high and low hypoxia tolerance (HT and HS rats, respectively). A full-thickness skin wound (diameter 16 mm) was inflicted in the interscapular region. On day 11 after wound infliction (proliferation phase), histological examination and morphometric analysis of the wound tissue were performed. The expression of the Hif1a, Epas1, Vegf, Nfkb, Il1b, Il6, Il10, Tnfa, and Tgfb genes in intact skin and in the wound granulation tissue was assessed by PCR, and the serum levels of HIF-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. On day 11 of wound healing, reparative processes were more pronounced in HT animals, manifesting as a significantly smaller wound area compared to HS rats. The ratio of collagen fiber types on day 11 of wound healing in HT and HS rats did not differ significantly. Compared to HT rats, HS animals demonstrated higher expression of the Il6 and Tgfb genes in the granulation tissue, and higher serum levels of IL-6 protein. These data should be considered when conducting studies using animals with different hypoxia tolerance.