Effect of Hydrocortisone on the Growth of cultured Equine Fibroblasts Isolated from Distal Aspects of the Limb.

Objective- To determine the effects of the Hydrocortisone on in vitro growth of fibrobla sts isolatedfrom the distal  aspects of the horses limbs. Design- Experimental in vitro study. Animals- A total of ۴ Caspian miniature and ۴ mixed thoroughbred horses. Procedures- Under generalanesthesia and aseptic condition, a full thickness of skin incision was created on the lateral aspects of themetacarpal mid-third and ۳ grams of subcutaneous tissue was harvested and placed on culture medium(RPMI-۱۶۴۰) in an incubator at ۳۷°C in ۵%C۰۲. The Hydrocortisone was added in ۳ different concentrations [treatm ent groups A (l۰۱۴ g/ml) , B (۱۰۰ ۱۴g/ml), and C (۳۰۰ ۱۴g/ml)] into the culture medium and cellcounting was carried out after ۴ days. The effects of Hydrocortisone added to control media were comparedwith a control media on fibroblast growth and viability. The data were analyzed by one way ANOVA andTukey test. Results- There were no significant differences in fibroblast growth rate and viability percentage (p>O.۰۵)between the groups control and A, but the groups Band C suppressed significantly the fibroblast growthand decreased viability percentage in compared with groups control and A (p<۰.۰۵), and also there were nosignificant differences between groups Band C in fibroblast growth rate and viability percentage (p>۰.۰۵). Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- The effect of Hydrocortisone on cultured fibroblast growth isdose-dependant. Application ofthis agent can inhibit fibroblast growth; therefore it can be used for treatmentofexuberant granulation tissue and improving wound healing processes, especially in the distal limb woundsof the horses