Análise fractal e morfométrica da estrutura do colágeno na avaliação da cicatrização de queimaduras cutâneas

Abstract

The fractal analysis provides a mathematical method to describe and analyzecomplex structural patterns and forms and is expressed numerically as fractaldimension (FD). The applicability and relevance of fractal geometry was used in theanalysis of 96 images of histological slides obtained from burns of 32 mice skinsstained with Sirius-red and scanned using polarization. The FD and the determinationof the size and orientation of the collagen fibers was calculated with the programImage J through the box counting method. There were statistically significantdifferences between the burns treated with imiquimod and controls regarding thefractal dimension (p = 0.0005). Burns treated with imiquimod show total collagen withprogressively more complex structure (larger FD values) than control burns regardinghealing time.