Effect of Vitamin C Deficiency on Healed Wounds.

Abstract

When young adult guinea pigs, bearing linear laparotomy wounds which had healed under normal conditions for 6 wks. were subjected to a vit. C-free dietary regimen for approx. 26 days, severe changes were observed in the scar tissue area. These consisted of fibroblastic proliferation, regression of connective tissue elements, and of hemorrhages. The wounds of pair-fed and ad lib. control animals presented normal healing. The results indicate that adequate vit. C intake is required not only for normal healing in the early post wound period but also for the maintenance of the scar tissue which has formed in healed wounds over a period of many wks.