Ultrastructure of Fibroblasts Following Topical Corticosteroid Treatment of Wounds

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Abstract
The effect on wound healing of a potent anti-inflammatory adrenocortical steroid, 6[alpha],9[alpha]-difluoro-11[beta],16[alpha],17[alpha],21-tetra-hydroxypregnan-1,4-diene-3,20-dione-16,l7-acetonide (fluocinolone acetonide), was observed with the electron microscope. The most prominent changes occurred in the structure of fibroblasts and in collagen formation. The fibroblasts exhibited morphological changes, which included dilation of endoplasmic reticulum and the appearance of various intracellular dense bodies. In the steroid-treated wounds, the extracellular space contained nonbanded filamentous material and decreased mature collagen when compared with controls. Several of these changes are similar to those observed in wound healing of scorbutic animals. The relationship of tensile strength, collagen production and scar formation to fluocinolone acetonide application is also discussed.