The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Chitosan Gel on Full Thickness Skin Wound Healing in Albino Rats: Histological, Immunohistochemical and Fluorescent Study

In the 2015 study, the healing effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and chitosan gel on full-thickness skin wounds were compared in 40 adult male Sprague Dawley albino rats, divided into four groups of ten. The study found that while chitosan gel improved wound healing compared to the control group, MSC treatment, particularly through intradermal injection, resulted in better and faster healing. The intradermal MSC group achieved complete wound closure by day 15, with significant regeneration of skin layers and an increase in collagen fibers. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed that MSCs promoted rapid cellular proliferation, granulation tissue formation, neoangiogenesis, and collagen synthesis, with the intradermal route proving to be more effective than systemic administration. The study concluded that MSCs, especially when administered intradermally, were more effective in accelerating wound healing than chitosan gel or other treatments.