Topical hydrogen peroxide treatment of ischemic ulcers in the guinea pig: blood recruitment in multiple skin sites.

Background: Oxygen deficit is a key factor associated with delayed healing of ischemic wounds in human beings. Topical oxygen-releasing compounds such as hydrogen peroxide or tetrachlorodecaoxide have been suggested as therapy for ischemic tissue.

Objective: Our purpose was to monitor the effect of hydrogen peroxide cream on the process of ischemic ulcer healing with a model for ischemic ulcers in the guinea pig.

Methods: Measurement of vascular perfusion with a laser Doppler velocimeter and gross observations of percentage of nonnecrotic wound surface were made on ischemic wounds in guinea pigs after treatment with either a hydrogen peroxide cream or a placebo cream.

Results: Visual evaluations of the percentage of nonnecrotic wound surface showed no statistically significant differences among the treatments. In contrast, vascular perfusion measurements resulted in statistically significant differences. Blood flow was significantly higher up to day 15 in ulcers treated with 2% hydrogen peroxide cream than in those treated with placebo cream. Vascular perfusion was significantly higher in ulcers treated with 3.5% hydrogen peroxide cream than in ulcers treated with either 1.5% hydrogen peroxide cream or placebo. Adjacent control sites in guinea pigs whose ulcers were treated with hydrogen peroxide cream showed increased vascular perfusion compared with corresponding sites in animals whose ulcers were treated with placebo. Even distant flank control sites of ulcers treated with 3.5% hydrogen peroxide cream showed increased vascular perfusion.

Conclusion: Treatment of ischemia-induced ulcers with hydrogen peroxide cream enhanced cutaneous blood recruitment not only to ulcers and adjacent sites, but also to distant sites.