Effect of Subcutaneous Tissue Transglutaminase on Growth Factors and Type I Collagen in Surgical Incision Wound Model

This study aims to determine the effects of subcutaneous Tissue Transglutaminase (TG2) application in surgical incision models in healthy male Wistar Albino rats, including macroscopic observations and its impact on selected growth factors and Type I collagen in vivo. A total of 24 healthy male Wistar Albino rats (200–250 g) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 8 each): healthy tissue group, control surgical incision group, and surgical incision group treated with TG2. A standardized 4 cm dorsal incision was made on the groups and sutured. The treatment group received subcutaneous TG2 (10 IU/kg) on days 0 and 15 after suturing, and the incision sites were photographed to assess macroscopic healing. On day 15, all rats were euthanized under general anesthesia. Then, wound tissues were collected for microscopic examination. Levels of selected growth factors and Type I collagen were measured by the ELISA method, and the data were analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA test. The wounds in the TG2-treated group healed faster and showed improved tissue organization compared to the untreated incision group, as macroscopically and histopathologically. The levels of selected growth factors and Type I collagen were increased in the TG2-treated group compared with both the control incision and healthy tissue groups, as indicated by ELISA results. The findings of this study suggest that TG2, alone or in combination with other growth factors, holds promise for future medical and veterinary clinical applications to accelerate wound repair and improve tissue regeneration outcomes.