The effects of estradiol and progesterone on the synthesis of collagen in tracheal surgery

Abstract

Objective: Estrogen and progesterone have the decreasing effect on massive collagen synthesis in wound healing. Here, it is aimed to determine their decreasing effect on collagen accumulation and fibroblast proliferation in trachea histologically and to understand if they would be protective for tracheal stenosis. Methods: Thirteen male Winstar rats were divided randomly into two groups: estrogen-progesterone group (group 1, eight rats) and control group (group 2, five rats). Under general anesthesia, tracheas were incised vertically extending from second to fifth tracheal ring. Incision was closed with absorbable sutures. Estrodiol benzoat and progesterone was given intramuscularly to estrogen progesterone group, saline solution to control group. After 4 weeks they were sacrificed and tracheas were excised. Horizontal cross section of the narrowest part of the incised trachea was examined histologically. Epithelial regeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition were evaluated by histological grading. Results: Statistically significant difference was found between the groups in collagen deposition and fibroblast proliferation (p = 0.011, <0.05). For epithelial regeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and angiogenesis there was no difference. Conclusion: As a result, it was proved that sex hormones inhibit massive collagen deposition and fibroblast proliferation in wound healing of tracheal surgery. Hence, they may prevent tracheal stenosis. © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.