Impact of local hyaluronic acid on early gingival wound healing and heat shock protein 47.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of HA on gingival healing and its relationship with heat shock protein 47 (HSP 47), which binds to procollagen.

METHODOLOGY: 40 female Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups: a control (Group C) and an HA-treated group (Group H), each split into four subgroups for different time points (t1, t3, t7, t14 days). Excisional wounds were made in the palates of all rats. Group H received topical HA gel, whereas Group C received no treatment. HSP 47 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and wound areas were analyzed with ImageJ.

RESULTS

No significant difference in HSP 47 levels was observed between groups (p>0.05). However, wound areas in Group C were significantly larger than in Group H on day 3 (p=0.009). HSP 47 levels increased in both groups, with higher values on day 1 (p=0.043). Wound areas decreased over time in both groups, with significant reduction in Group H from days 1 to 3 (p=0.043).

CONCLUSION

Topical HA gel may accelerate early periodontal wound healing but failed to significantly affect HSP 47 levels.