Effects of topical insulin on second-intention wound healing in the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) - a controlled study

Compared with mammals, wound healing in reptiles is characterized by reduced wound contraction and longer healing times. The

Topical insulin is a potentially useful therapy in skin wounds of Trachemys scripta and should be evaluated in non-experimental wounds of turtles and other reptiles.

Mean wound contraction was higher in the insulin-treated group at each time point and differences were significant at day 28 (P < 0.0001). Histologically, these clinical findings were associated with better re-epithelisation, inflammatory response, collagen synthesis and remodelling of the wounds. Morphometrically, insulin-treated wounds had significantly higher mean counts of heterophils (day 7), macrophages (days 2, 7 and 14) and fibroblasts (days 14 and 21), whereas lymphocyte counts were significantly lower at day 21. These results demonstrate that topical insulin modifies the inflammatory response of turtle skin up-regulating inflammatory cells at early stages and promoting wound healing. Conclusions: Topical insulin is a potentially useful therapy in skin wounds of Trachemys scripta and should be evaluated in non-experimental wounds of turtles and other reptiles.