Effects of Locally and Systemically Applied n-3 Fatty Acid on Oral Ulcer Recovery Process in Rats.

UNLABELLED  Introduction. Ulcers are one of the most frequent diseases af- fecting the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acid (topical and systemic) on oral mucosa wound healing in rats. METHODS AND MATERIALS In this study, adult male rats in 5 groups (n = 16 per group) were used (L: local, S: systemic, LB: local blank, SB: systemic blank, and C: control.) A wound (2 mm di- ameter) was punched into the hard palate of each rat. A mucosal de- fect (2 mm in diameter and 0.2 mm in wall thickness) was made to the depth of the periosteum in the palate with a round stainless steel blade designed for punch biopsy. For topical application, a swab was soaked in L omega-3 or LB and packed into the wound. For systemic treatment, 2 cc of the S omega-3 acid or SB was guided into the stom- ach by gastric gavage. The control group was not treated. Histological samples were harvested on post-injury days 2, 4, 6, and 8. RESULTS The highest amount of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was observed on days 2 and 4 in the LB group. The control group had the highest inflammation score on days 2 and 4, and the lowest reepithelialization score on days 2, 4, 6, and 8. The thickest epithelium was observed in the L and S groups on days 6 and 8. CONCLUSION Omega-3 fatty acid (L and S) increases fibroblast counts and decreases PMN cell counts. Moreover, this compound causes an increase in reepithelialization and epithelial thickness. .