The Role of Systemic Dehydration in Vocal Fold Healing: Preliminary Findings

Abstract Rationale Systemic dehydration negatively alters the expression of vocal fold inflammatory and cell junction markers. These biological changes can have downstream effects on the healing processes of injured vocal folds. In the dermis, reduced hydration prolongs inflammation and delays healing. It is unknown whether this biological effect is observed in vocal fold tissue. Objective To investigate the effects of systemic dehydration on vocal fold healing outcomes following acute, bilateral vocal fold injury in a rodent model. Methods Eighteen systemic dehydrated and 18 euhydrated adult male Sprague Dawley rats experienced bilateral vocal fold injuries or no injury (N = 9/group). Vocal fold gene expression levels of inflammatory mediators and epithelial cell junction markers were measured 24 h post‐injury. Results Pro‐inflammatory gene markers (IL‐1β; TNF‐α) were differentially expressed in response to systemic dehydration with vocal fold injury compared to non‐injury. Epithelial cell junction markers (Cadherin‐3, Desmoglein‐1) also exhibited divergent trends following systemic dehydration, but these data were not statistically significant. Conclusions Systemic dehydration may affect cellular vocal fold healing processes within 24 h. These findings lay the groundwork for further investigation of how hydration status can affect vocal fold tissue recovery and influence clinical care.