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Connective Tissue Studies^1,2,

III. Ascorbic Acid, Collagen and Hexosamine Distribution and Histology of Connective Tissue in Scars Produced in Guinea Pigs on Various Vitamin C Dietary Levels Following Wounding by Abdominal Incision

Radioisotope Service, Veterans Administration Center, Martinsburg, West Virginia

1. We have extended previous observations on the concentration of ascorbic acid in scar tissue to a further fractionation of the tissues composing the scar and have found that the highest concentration of ascorbic acid is in the connective tissue.

2. The high concentration of ascorbic acid in the connective tissue of the wound parallels the concentrations of ascorbic acid found simultaneously in the connective tissue of tendons and ligaments. The next highest concentration was found in the paravulneral tissue adjacent to the scar and lower amounts occurred in specimens of abdominal muscle distant from the scar as well as samples of muscle taken from the leg and back.

3. From determinations of collagen and hexosamine content of abdominal scar tissue, and of tissue produced in carrageenin granuloma, we have shown that insignificant differences occur between animals with scurvy and those placed on saturation dietary intakes of ascorbic acid. We have also noted that postoperatively, hexosamine values increased, both in the scorbutic and control animals.

4. In histologic cross sections of abdominal incisions, new connective tissue fibers have been demonstrated by special stain in guinea pigs on a maintenance dietary level of ascorbic acid. A dearth of new connective tissue fibers occurred in histologic cross sections of abdominal scars taken from scorbutic animals. These histologic findings parallel those previously made in studies on wound healing in vitamin C-depleted human subjects.

² This investigation was supported in part by Research Grant USPHS A-1949 (C1) from the NIH, Public Health Service.

Manuscript received 7 October 1959.