The Role of Molecular Hydrogen in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Thermal Burns

The aim was to evaluate the fibrous component of the skin dermis against the background of a burn wound with local application of molecular hydrogen. Material and methods . A burn wound in the interscapular region was simulated in an experiment on 24 white male Wistar rats. Two groups were formed: the control group with spontaneous healing and the group with local application of an aqueous solution of molecular hydrogen. The material was collected on the 3rd and 7th days. The fibrous component of the skin dermis was evaluated using histochemical methods. Results . On the 3rd day of the wound process, the initial stages of ordered collagen aggregates formation consisting of thin, convoluted reticular fibers were determined in the group receiving molecular hydrogen, and cellular representatives of fibroblastic differon of a fusiform shape with a large, pale nucleus began to appear in the perifocal areas of the wound, but their number was insignificant. On the 3rd day after the burn, the control group had a chaotic network and a denser distribution of reticular fibers. On day 7, the dermis in the burn area was represented by a dense fibrous component with irregularly arranged thick, short fibers, mainly of type I collagen. In the deeper layers of the dermis, fibers formed dense strands. In the group receiving molecular hydrogen, an increased number of fibroblasts was detected, as well as an ordered network of fibers, mainly of type I collagen with a few reticular fibers. Conclusion . The local application of molecular hydrogen leads to a more physiological organization of collagen and reticular fibers, as well as to an increase in the cellular representation of fibroblastic differon.