Calcific aortic valve sclerosis is characterized by focal lesions in the valve leaflet. These lesions are rich in myofibroblasts that express α-SMA and cause fibrosis. Lesions tend to occur in regions of the leaflet that are subjected to large bending loads, suggesting a mechanobiological basis for myofibrogenic differentiation and valve pathogenesis. In this thesis, a bioreactor was developed to study the effect of physiological loading on myofibrogenic differentiation of valve interstitial cells. Cyclic loading of native porcine aortic valve leaflets ex vivo resulted in increased α-SMA expression, predominantly in the fibrosa and spongiosa (similar to sclerotic leaflets). Cofilin, an actin-binding protein, was also upregulated by loading, suggesting it plays a role in mechanically-induced myofibrogenesis. Similarly, loading of a tissue engineered aortic valve leaflet model resulted in increased α-SMA transcript and protein expression. These data support an integral role for mechanical stimuli in myofibrogenic differentiation and sclerosis in the aortic valve.

Calcific aortic valve sclerosis is characterized by focal lesions in the valve leaflet. These lesions are rich in myofibroblasts that express α-SMA and cause fibrosis. Lesions tend to occur in regions of the leaflet that are subjected to large bending loads, suggesting a mechanobiological basis for myofibrogenic differentiation and valve pathogenesis. In this thesis, a bioreactor was developed to study the effect of physiological loading on myofibrogenic differentiation of valve interstitial cells. Cyclic loading of native porcine aortic valve leaflets ex vivo resulted in increased α-SMA expression, predominantly in the fibrosa and spongiosa (similar to sclerotic leaflets). Cofilin, an actin-binding protein, was also upregulated by loading, suggesting it plays a role in mechanically-induced myofibrogenesis. Similarly, loading of a tissue engineered aortic valve leaflet model resulted in increased α-SMA transcript and protein expression. These data support an integral role for mechanical stimuli in myofibrogenic differentiation and sclerosis in the aortic valve.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-10T14:22:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-05-27. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-12-10T14:28:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000851207.pdf: 1059422 bytes, checksum: 3ef98dc609c2e964bafefa24cd2efdc7 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A endometrose é uma alteração degenerativa das glândulas uterinas e do estroma circundante, caracterizada pelo arranjo periglandular de miofibroblastos e a deposição de matriz extracelular (ECM). O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a expressão de colágeno tipo I, III e IV e α-actina de músculo liso (α-SMA) nas endometroses equinas, procurando esclarecer a participação dos miofibroblastos na progressão destes processos. Foram utilizadas 24 biópsias uterinas com diagnóstico de endometrose, recebidas pelo Serviço de Patologia Veterinária e de Reprodução Animal da FMVZ, UNESP, Botucatu, SP. Cortes histológicos foram submetidos às técnicas histoquímicas de Tricrômico de Masson, Picrosirius Red sob luz polarizada e Ácido Periódico de Schiff (PAS) e imuno-histoquímicas para os três tipos de colágeno citados e α-SMA. Ainda, traçou-se um paralelo entre a técnica de Picrosirius Red e a imunomarcação dos colágenos tipos I e III. A análise histológica revelou que as fibras de colágeno denso correspondem ao colágeno tipo I, predominantes nas endometroses inativa e inativa destrutiva. As fibras de colágeno frouxo correspondem ao colágeno tipo III, predominantes nas endometroses ativas e ativas destrutivas. Nestes mesmos processos, a membrana basal revelou espessamento, aparentemente não relacionado ao colágeno tipo IV, e uma maior imunomarcação de miofibroblastos periglandulares em relação às endometroses inativa e inativa destrutiva. Desta forma, nota-se que os miofibroblastos estão relacionados ao aumento na deposição de colágeno tipo III nos ninhos fibróticos ativos / Endometrosis is a degenerative change of the uterine glands and surrounding stroma, characterized by periglandular arrangement of myofibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). The aim of this study was evaluate the expression of collagen type I, III and IV and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in equine endometroses, and investigate the role of myofibroblasts in the progression of these processes. A parallel was made with histochemical techniques of Masson's trichrome, Picrosirius Red under polarized light and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS). Twenty four uterine biopsies received by the Veterinary Pathology Service and Animal Reproduction of FMVZ, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, were diagnosed with endometrosis. Histological analysis revealed that the orange dense collagen fibers correspond to type I collagen, being prevalent in inactive and inactive destructive endometrosis. And the green loose collagen fibers correspond to type III collagen, and are predominant in active and active destructive endometrosis. In the same processes, a greater amount of periglandular myofibroblasts were observed in comparison to inactive and inactive destructive endometrosis. The presence of these cells in active processes are strongly related to an increased deposition of collagen type III in fibrotic nests. Regarding the basement membrane, the active destructive and active endometrosis shows thickening, apparently not related to an increase in expression of type IV collagen. The active destructive and inactive destructive endometrosis exhibited disruption areas in type IV collagen fibers. Thus, it is noted that the myofibroblasts are related to increased deposition of type III collagen in active fibrotic nests

A radioterapia é frequentemente utilizada no tratamento de tumores da próstata, porém durante esse procedimento a bexiga sadia usualmente sofre efeitos colaterais. Através do uso de um modelo animal para irradiação pélvica, avaliamos se a suplementação nutricional com L-glutamina poderia prevenir possíveis danos na parede da bexiga, especialmente em suas camadas mais superficiais. Ratos Wistar adultos machos com idade entre 3 e 4 meses foram separados em grupos de 8 animais: grupo controle que não recebeu a irradiação; grupos somente irradiados que foram mortos 7 (R7) e 15 dias (R15) após a irradiação (dose única de 10 Gy na região pélvico-abdominal); grupos irradiados e suplementados com L-glutamina (0,65g/kg de peso por dia), que foram mortos 7 (RG7) ou 15 após a irradiação. Células e vasos sanguíneos da lâmina própria, bem como o urotélio, foram avaliados com métodos histológicos. No urotélio foram feitas análises da altura e densidade nuclear e na lâmina própria densidade celular, densidade vascular e o número de mastócitos. Os resultados mostraram que em R7, a altura e densidade nuclear do urotélio e a densidade celular da lâmina própria não foram alterados significativamente. Entretanto a densidade dos vasos sanguíneos foi reduzida em 48% (p<0,05) e essa alteração foi evitada pela glutamina (p <0,02). No grupo R15, a densidade celular do epitélio aumentou em 35% (p<0,02). A densidade celular da lâmina própria não apresentou diferença estatística entre os grupos. Os mastócitos na lâmina própria foram reduzidos em R7 e R15. Apesar de ainda reduzidos em RG7 em RG15 houve aumento no número desse tipo celular o que sugere uma ação positiva da glutamina. Células &#945;-actina positivas na lâmina própria formam uma camada suburotelial e foram identificadas como miofibroblastos. A espessura dessa camada aumentou em R7, mas foi semelhante ao controle em RG7, enquanto alterações em R15 e RG15 foram menos evidentes. Esses resultados mostraram que a utilização da L-glutamina antes e após a radioterapia deve ser considerada para uso humano na proteção da bexiga contra os efeitos da radiação. / Radiotherapy is often used to treat prostate tumors, but the normal bladder is usually adversely affected. Using an animal model of pelvic radiation, we investigated whether glutamine nutritional supplementation can prevent radiation-induced damage to the bladder, especially in its more superficial layers. Male rats aged 3 to 4 months were divided into groups of 8 animals each: controls, which consisted intact animals; radiated-only rats, which were sacrificed 7 (R7) or 15 (R15) days after a radiation session (10 Gy aimed at the pelvico-abdominal region); and radiated rats receiving L-glutamine supplementation (0.65 g/kg body weight/day), which were sacrificed 7 (RG7) or 15 (RG15) days after the radiation session. Morphological and morphometric analysis of the urothelium were made. Nuclear density, lamina propria cell density and mast cells numbers per area were counted. The results showed that, in R7, epithelial thickness, epithelial cell density, and cell density in the lamina propria were not significantly affected. However, density of blood vessels in R7 was reduced by 48% (p < 0.05) and this alteration was mostly prevented by glutamine (p < 0.02). In R15, density of blood vessels in the lamina propria was not significantly modified. However, epithelial thickness was reduced by 25% (p < 0.05) in R15, and this effect was prevented by glutamine (p < 0.01). In R15, epithelial cell density was increased by 35% (p < 0.02), but glutamine did not protect against this radiation-induced increase. Cell density in the lamina propria was likewise unaffected in R15. Density of mast cells in the lamina propria was markedly reduced in R7 and R15. The density was still reduced in RG7, but a higher density in RG15 suggested a glutamine-mediated recovery. Alpha-actin positive cells in the lamina propria formed a suburothelial layer and were identified as myofibroblasts. Thickness of this layer was increased in R7, but was similar to controls in RG7, while changes in R15 and RG15 were less evident. In conclusion, pelvic radiation leads to significant acute and post-acute alterations in the composition and structural features of the vesical lamina propria and epithelium. Most of these changes, however, can be prevented by glutamine nutritional supplementation. These results emphasize, therefore, the potential use of this aminoacid as a radioprotective drug.

Dans les maladies chroniques du foie, l’angiogenèse et la fibrose sont étroitement liées. Nosprécédents travaux ont permis de montrer que les myofibroblastes portaux (MFP)contribuaient de façon importante à la fibrogenèse hépatique. L’objectif de ma thèse était dedéterminer si les MFP pouvaient aussi contribuer à l’angiogenèse hépatique. Nous avonsidentifié un nouveau marqueur spécifique des MFP, le collagène XV, grâce auquel nousavons pu mettre en évidence une prolifération des MFP dans des stades avancés de fibrose, àla fois dans des modèles animaux et chez les patients atteints d’hépatopathie chronique. Cetteprolifération des MFP était corrélée à celle des cellules endothéliales. Dans le foie cirrhotiquehumain, les MFP présentaient une distribution périvasculaire, entourant les capillaires àproximité de la réaction ductulaire. L’effet des MFP sur les cellules endothéliales a ensuite étéévalué par des tests d’angiogensèse in vitro et in vivo. Le milieu conditionné des MFPaugmentait la migration et la tubulogenèse des cellules endothéliales et stimulaitl’angiogenèse dans les implants de Matrigel chez la souris. En co-culture, les MFPdeveloppaient des jonctions intercellulaires avec les cellules endothéliales et augmentaient latubulogenèse. Nous avons montré que les MFP secrétaient des microparticules contenant duVEGF-A, capables d’activer VEGFR-2 dans les cellules endothéliales et de médier leur effetpro-angiogénique. Enfin, les cholangiocytes étaient capables d’accroître l’effet proangiogéniquedes MFP. En conclusion, les MFP jouent un rôle clef dans le remodelagevasculaire associé à la fibrose hépatique. / Liver angiogenesis and fibrogenesis are closely linked and most of studies have shown thatangiogenesis could worsen fibrosis in chronic liver diseases. Our previous works havedemonstrated that portal myofibroblasts (PMF) greatly contributed to liver fibrogenesis. Theaim of this present work was to determine if PMF could also contribute to liver angiogenesis.We identified collagene XV (col15a1) as a new specific marker for PMF. In vivo, weobserved PMF proliferation (measured by expression of col15a1) at advanced stages offibrosis both in liver from animals models ( CCl4 and BDL) and in livers from patients withchronic liver disease (primary biliary cirrhosis and non alcoolic fatty liver disease). PMFproliferation was correlated with endothelial proliferation. In human cirrhotic liver, PMF werelocated around vessels in fibrotic septa, in proximity to ductular reaction. PMF effects onendothelial cells were assessed in angiogenic tests in vitro and in vivo. PMF conditionedmedium enhanced migration and tubulogenesis of endothelial cells and stimulatedvascularization of matrigel plugs in mice. In coculture, PMF developed junctions withendothelial cells (demosomes and gap junctions) and enhanced endothelial tubulogenesis. Weshowed that PMF secreted VEGFA containing microparticles, able to activate VEGFR-2 inendothelial cells and to mediate their angiogenic function. Cholangiocytes could increasePMF angiogenic properties by stimulating VEGFA expression and microparticles secretion.In conclusion, PMF, studied with a new marker, col15a1, are key cells in hepatic vascularremodeling.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24197号 / 医博第4891号 / 新制||医||1060(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 平井 豊博, 教授 万代 昌紀, 教授 伊達 洋至 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

The iliotibial band (ITB) is a suitable scaffold for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, providing a sufficient mechanical resistance to loading. Hence, ITB-derived fibroblasts attract interest for ligament tissue engineering but have so far not been characterized. This present study aimed at characterizing ITB fibroblasts before, during, and after emigration from cadaveric ITB explants to decipher the emigration behavior and to utilize their migratory capacity for seeding biomaterials. ITB and, for comparison, ACL tissues were assessed for the content of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expressing fibroblasts and degeneration. The cell survival and αSMA expression were monitored in explants used for cell isolation, monolayer, self-assembled ITB spheroids, and spheroids seeded in polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds. The protein expression profile of targets typically expressed by ligamentocytes (collagen types I–III, elastin, lubricin, decorin, aggrecan, fibronectin, tenascin C, CD44, β1-integrins, vimentin, F-actin, αSMA, and vascular endothelial growth factor A [VEGFA]) was compared between ITB and ACL fibroblasts. A donor- and age-dependent differing percentage of αSMA positive cells could be detected, which was similar in ITB and ACL tissues despite the grade of degeneration being significantly higher in the ACL due to harvesting them from OA knees. ITB fibroblasts survived for several months in an explant culture, continuously forming monolayers with VEGFA and an increased αSMA expression. They shared their expression profile with ACL fibroblasts. αSMA decreased during the monolayer to spheroid/scaffold transition. Using self-assembled spheroids, the migratory capacity of reversible myofibroblastic ITB cells can be utilized for colonizing biomaterials for ACL tissue engineering and to support ligament healing.

Ligament tears are more prevalent than all other knee injury pathologies, and contribute significantly to musculoskeletal joint pain and disability reported worldwide. Despite current soft tissue reconstruction techniques, the injured ligament fails to regenerate due to dysregulated cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions that culminate in scar formation. Hallmarks of scar formation, or fibrotic healing include disorganized ECM, pathological stiffness or tissue rigidity, and the accumulation and persistence of myofibroblasts. A primary driver of fibrosis, myofibroblasts are characterized by high contractility, excessive deposition of collagen type I, coupled with inflammatory and fibrotic signaling. Notably these cells are critical early on in the response to injury, by aiding in the contracture of the wound bed and depositing collagen to repair the injury site. However, myofibroblasts are not capable of fully regenerating the native ligamentous matrix, and resolution of the phenotype is necessary in order to cue surrounding cells, prevent chronic inflammation and aberrant tissue remodeling. Persistence of the myofibroblast phenotype thus leads to a ligament scar that is functionally weaker than the healthy tissue matrix, characterized by significantly different histological, biochemical, and biomechanical properties. The consequential instability of this scar disrupts load distribution within the knee joint and increases the risk of subsequent injury, osteochondral degeneration, and ultimately, the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Therefore, there is a critical need for strategies that target the inflammatory and fibrotic myofibroblast phenotypes for soft tissue healing. It follows that the overarching goal of this thesis is to engineer an immunomodulatory matrix to regulate myofibroblast activation and downstream fibrogenic signaling. To this end, models of soft tissue fibrotic repair are explored in order to test the central hypothesis that cues from the repairing ECM play an important role in regulating myofibroblast activation and persistence. Specifically, this thesis will compare myofibroblast differentiation and signaling in three in vitro models of tissue repair: 1) 2D on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS), and two 3D models namely 2) collagen hydrogel and 3) electrospun collagen fiber matrices. As expected, on the 2D model, a persistent myofibroblast phenotype could be generated over time with an optimized transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) stimulation protocol. To create repair-relevant 3D matrix models, we engineered collagen hydrogels with controlled mechanical properties, as well as electrospun fiber platforms that isolate key matrix factors including, collagen content, stiffness, fiber diameter, and alignment. These models emulate the connective tissue repair process via recapitulating the increasing matrix stiffness and fiber assembly of the early (granulation tissue), proliferative, and remodeling stages of the repair. Myofibroblast differentiation potential, parallel inflammatory and fibrotic cytokine secretion, as well as matrix remodeling potential were observed to be dependent on matrix model parameters. Moreover, single-cell resolution RNA sequencing revealed heterogenous myofibroblast populations within the context of response to engineered collagenous substrates. Specifically, myofibroblast accumulation was observed on hydrogel substrates that recapitulate the pathologically stiff mechanics and disorganization of fibrotic scar tissue while architectural cues of engineered fiber substrates prevented myofibroblast differentiation in a diameter and alignment-dependent manner. Moreover, nanoscale fibers elicited the greatest anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties compared to microscale fibers and stiff collagen-based hydrogels. Throughout, this thesis also explores the contribution of NF-κB signaling to myofibroblast plasticity and persistence using engineered collagen-based platforms, highlighting the dynamic role of myofibroblasts as critical immunoregulating cells. The NF-κB signaling pathway is implicated in a broad array of fibrotic and chronic inflammatory conditions, and more recently has been associated with survival of persistent myofibroblast populations in soft-tissue fibrosis and tendon degeneration models. In this thesis, NF-κB activation was seen to be related to the persistent myofibroblast phenotype and increase over time in both 2D TCPS and 3D collagenous hydrogel matrices that mimic pathologically stiff scar tissue, while a temporally dependent activation pattern was observed in electrospun collagen fiber-based models. At the transcriptional level, NF-κB survival signaling was significantly enriched in myofibroblast populations supported by TCPS and stiff collagen-based hydrogels but downregulated on soft hydrogels and fibers with decreasing fiber diameter that prevented robust myofibroblast differentiation at single cell resolution. Building upon these new insights regarding matrix cues that drive myofibroblast activation, we designed an immunomodulatory matrix that mediates small molecule release targeting NF-κB inhibition. The immunomodulatory matrix achieved robust amelioration of the myofibroblast phenotype as well as reduced the secretion of key inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines by these cells. Moreover, a similar anti-fibrotic response was seen for human ligament fibroblasts treated with these matrices. Collectively, this thesis work presents a systematic evaluation of myofibroblast plasticity and persistence within the context of 2D (TCPS), 3D (collagen-based hydrogels), and finally 3D with defined microarchitectural cues (electrospun collagen-based fibers) that recapitulate the progressive stages of scar-mediated healing, and reveals NF-κB as a promising target for reducing myofibroblast persistence. Moreover, the immunomodulatory control of myofibroblast plasticity and persistence via matrix cues coupled with NF-κB inhibition informs future strategies for true ligament healing.

No description available.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o efeito da aplicação subcutânea do cloridrato de papaverina no processo de reparação de feridas cirúrgicas abertas no dorso de ratos e avaliar pelos métodos histomorfológico, histomorfométrico e imunoistoquímico eventos biológicos do processo de reparação. Foram realizadas feridas dérmicas padronizadas com punch, 5mm de diâmetro e 2mm de profundidade, no dorso de ratos. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos conforme o tratamento realizado: no grupo controle, 25 ratos foram tratados através da injeção de cloreto de sódio 0,9% e no grupo teste, 25 ratos foram tratados através da injeção da solução de cloridrato de papaverina a 50mg/mL de cloreto de sódio a 0,9%. Em ambos os grupos foi aplicado subcutâneo (por quadrante da ferida), 0,25mL da solução correspondente aos frascos do grupo teste ou grupo controle totalizando 1 mL da solução. Os 50 espécimes foram processados para as análises macro e microscópica. Para análise do cálculo do edema, foram utilizados 10 ratos (5 animais do grupo teste e 5 animais do grupo controle). Fragmentos de pele padronizados (3cm2) foram removidos da área da ferida e pesados no período de 6 horas. Para análise morfométrica do fechamento da ferida/formação de cicatriz, 10 ratos foram utilizados (5 animais do grupo teste e 5 do grupo controle). As feridas cirúrgicas padronizadas foram fotografadas nos períodos de 0h, 3,7,14 e 21 dias pós-cirúrgico e as imagens foram analisadas por software de morfometria (ImageLab2000®) quanto a área, perímetro e fator de forma. Pela técnica de coloração da hematoxilina e eosina, a análise histomorfológica (análise qualitativa descritiva) e histomorfométrica (análise quantitativa em relação à reepitelização, formação do tecido de granulação, edema, celularidade e matriz colagênica) foram realizadas nos períodos de 6h, 3,7,14 e 21 dias e analisadas sob microscopia de luz. Reações de imunoistoquímica com o anticorpo anti-actina de músculo liso foi realizada para identificação e contagem do número de miofibroblastos nos períodos de 3, 7, 14 e 21 dias. A partir do modelo experimental avaliado, comprovou-se a ação vasodilatadora da papaverina. Os fragmentos padronizados do grupo teste apresentaram maior peso em relação ao grupo controle (p= 0,047). As feridas do grupo teste mostraram um fechamento maior e menor formação de cicatriz quando comparado ao grupo controle no período de 21 dias. No grupo teste, uma maior quantidade de edema (p = 0,028) e uma menor quantidade de matriz colagênica (colágeno) (p = 0,028) foram encontradas no período de 6 horas. Houve maior reepitelização no grupo teste no período de 7 dias e menor formação de tecido de granulação nos períodos de 14 e 21 dias para o mesmo grupo. No grupo controle, um maior número de miofibroblastos foi encontrado quando comparado ao grupo teste nos períodos de 14 e 21 dias (p=0, 016). Dentro dos limites deste estudo, a aplicação subcutânea do cloridrato de papaverina parece acelerar o processo de reparação de feridas cirúrgicas abertas no dorso de ratos. Sua aplicação promove vasodilatação e um maior exsudato inflamatório no início do processo de reparação. Tal efeito parece estar relacionado com a maior velocidade de reparação observada macro e microscopicamente. / The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous administration of papaverine hydrochloride in the process of open surgical repair of wounds in the back of rats and evaluate the methods histomorphological, immunohistochemical and histomorphometric biological events of the repair process. Standardized wounds were inflicted by dermal punch, 5mm in diameter and 2mm deep, in the backs of rats. Animals were divided into two groups according to treatment: control group, 25 rats were treated by injection of sodium chloride 0.9%) and test group (25 rats treated by the injection of papaverine hydrochloride 50 mg / mL sodium chloride 0.9%). In both groups was administered subcutaneously (by quadrant of the wound), 0.25 mL of the solution corresponding to bottles of the test group or control group, totaling 1 mL of the solution. The 50 specimens were processed for macro and microscopic analysis. For analysis of the calculation of edema, we used 10 rats (5 animals in the test group and 5 control animals). Standardized skin fragments (3cm2) were removed from the wound area and heavy during the 6 hours. For morphometric analysis of the closure of the wound / scar formation, 10 rats were used (five animals in the test group and 5 in the control group). Surgical wounds were photographed in standardized periods of 0h, 3,7,14 and 21 days after surgery and the images were analyzed by morphometry software (ImageLab2000 ®) as area, perimeter and form factor. By staining with hematoxylin and eosin, the histomorphologic analysis (descriptive qualitative analysis) and histomorphometric (quantitative analysis in relation to reepithelialization, formation of granulation tissue, edema, cellularity and collagen matrix) were recorded at 6h, 3.7 , 14 and 21 days and analyzed under light microscopy. Immunohistochemical reactions with anti-smooth muscle actin was performed to identify and count the number of myofibroblasts at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. From the experimental model evaluated, proved the vasodilator papaverine. The fragments of the standardized test group had a higher weight in the control group (p = 0.047). The wounds of the test group showed a greater closing and less scarring compared to control group within 21 days. In the test group, a greater amount of edema (p = 0.028) and a smaller amount of collagen matrix (collagen) (p = 0.028) were found within 6 h. A greater reepithelialization in the test group after 7 days and less formation of granulation tissue during periods of 14 and 21 days for the same group. In the control group, a greater number of myofibroblasts was found when compared to the test group during the periods of 14 and 21 days (p = 0, 016). Within the limits of this study, subcutaneous administration of papaverine hydrochloride appears to accelerate the repair of surgical wounds opened in the back of rats. Its application promotes vasodilation and a greater inflammatory exudate in the early repair process. This effect appears to be related to a faster repair observed macroscopically and microscopically.