Relationship between the Diurnal Temperature Range and Wound Healing of Diabetic Foot: Animal Study.

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcers are closely related to body surface heat, which can be affected easily by temperature differences. This study examined the correlation between the healing process of diabetic wounds and abnormal diurnal temperature through an animal study. Materials and Methods: Rats in the abnormal diurnal temperature group and control group were given a 10 mm sized full-thickness skin ulcer. Wound size progression was observed in both groups. H&E and Masson's trichrome staining was performed at 14 days after wound formation, and the number of vessels per unit area and histology analysis were performed. The changes in the ulcer were measured through three dimensional cross-section area using INSIGHT® devices. Results: The wound recovery period (granulation ingrowing) was 24 days in the abnormal diurnal temperature model and 20 days in the control group. The thickness of scar tissue was 402±23.19 μm in the control group and 424.5±36.94 μm in the diurnal temperature model. Neovascular formation was counted as 5.1±0.97 for the control group and 4.16±0.94 for the diurnal temperature model group. Conclusion: Delayed and inferior diabetic wound healing was observed in the abnormal diurnal temperature group, which was characterized by greater diurnal variations than the typical growth environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]