We studied short-term effects of steroid and anti-inflammatory drugs on collagen synthesis in rat skin.

The 18 rats were divided equally into three groups: group I; piroxicam, group II; triamcinolone, group III; saline. All drugs were given by intraperitoneal injection. Drugs were administered to rats for 4 days after dorsal skin incision. One day after operation and at 24 hour interval there after, skin tissues containing subcutaneous fat were randomly harvested. Measurement procedures were composed of three steps: the first was Masson's trichrome stain for collagen tissue identification; the second involved transporting the image to a computer and the third the analyses of the collagen area using a morphometry program.

Statistically significant differences were found in the mean values of the relative collagen contents of the triamcinolone and saline injection groups on the third day (p<0.05). Relative collagen content of the saline injection group was greater than those of the other groups. The triamcinolone group showed the least collagen content. Collagen content of groups increased in time.

Steroid had an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of collagen. Anti-inflammatory drugs also reduced the amount of collagen synthesis, but without statistical difference.