Which of the following nutritional factors is required for proper collagen assembly in the scar tissue of the 25-year-old woman who sustains a deep, open laceration over her right forearm in a motorcycle accident.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful, biologic reducing agent that is necessary for the hydroxylation of proline residues in collagen. Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) causes formation of an abnormal collagen that lacks tensile strength. Patients with vitamin C deficiency exhibit poor wound healing. Dehiscence (bursting open) of previously healed wounds may also occur. None of the other choices are required for collagen assembly.
Wound Healing
Folic acid
Thiamine
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin C