Healing of skin incision wounds treated with topically applied BAPN free base in the rat

β-Aminopropionitrile as free base (BAPN) was applied onto the incised or intact skin of rats at the dose of 5, 20, 100, and 200 μl for 9 days, twice daily. Breaking strength of the skin wound or intact skin was significantly reduced at doses of 20 μl and higher; body weight growth was significantly retarded at the two highest dosages. It is concluded that at a given dose (20 μl) collagen polymerization (evaluated by reduced breaking strength and increased extractability of collagen) was specifically inhibited by BAPN. Furthermore, no evidence of topical or general toxic effects were observed, as reflected in histology, body weight growth, and behavior of the rats. Acute LD₅₀ of BAPN base and fumarate, administered either ip or topically, was determined in mice. While BAPN base in ip administration shows LD₅₀ of 1.15 g/kg, in cutaneous application it is more than 12.8 g/kg. It is suggested that topically applied BAPN base is percutaneously absorbed and affects collagen polymerization in the skin and adjacent tissues.