*2.1. Macroscopic Evaluation*

The healing pattern was similar among all mice. The macroscopic evolution of the PU was comparable between the rhGH group and the control group. The evolution was towards a retracted and elevated crusty lesion. This crust was giving off progressively from the periphery toward the center as the ulcer was healing. Fully recovered dermoepidermal tissue then emerged. The evolution of PU in the rhGH group and the control group can be observed in Figures 1 and 2 respectively.

**Figure 1.** Macroscopic evolution of pressure ulcer healing in the recombinant human growth hormone rhGH group. The healing rate was 1.03 mm<sup>2</sup> per day in this mouse. Bar = 10 mm.

**Figure 2.** Macroscopic evolution of pressure ulcer healing in the control group. The healing rate was 0.75 mm<sup>2</sup> per day in this mouse. Bar = 10 mm.

The healing rate was twice as fast in mice subjected to treatment with the growth hormone—rhGH group (1.25 ± 0.33 mm<sup>2</sup> per day) compared to those which did not receive it—control group (0.61 ± 0.27 mm<sup>2</sup> per day), with a statistically significant difference (*p*-value = 0.03). Kinetics was compared between groups, with faster healing for the first 30 days in the rhGH group (1.27 mm<sup>2</sup> vs. 0.37 mm2), time in which the hormone was administered once per week. The daily PU mean size in both groups until complete healing can be observed in Figure 3.

**Figure 3.** Daily pressure ulcer mean size (mm2) until complete healing in the rhGH group (blue line) and the control group (green line).

Mean body weight in the rhGH group before PU formation and after PU healing was 29.38 ± 0.48 g and 30.2 ± 0.3 g respectively. Mean body weight in the control group before PU formation and after PU healing was 29.8 ± 1.9 g and 30.5 ± 2.1 g respectively. No statistically significant difference in body weight was found before and after PU healing in both groups (*p*-value > 0.05) (Figure 4).

**Figure 4.** Evolution of body weight (grams) in the rhGH group (blue line) and the control group (green line). No statistically significant difference was found between both groups (*p*-value > 0.05).
