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. 2009 Apr;6(2):107-15.
doi: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2009.00584.x.

Epidermal growth factor-containing wound closure enhances wound healing in non-diabetic and diabetic rats

S Dogan  1 , S Demirer, I Kepenekci, B Erkek, A Kiziltay, N Hasirci, S Müftüoglu, A Nazikoglu, N Renda, U D Dincer, A Elhan, E Kuterdem
Affiliations

Epidermal growth factor-containing wound closure enhances wound healing in non-diabetic and diabetic rats

S Dogan et al. Int Wound J. 2009 Apr.

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to elucidate the in vivo efficacy of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on wound healing in non diabetic and diabetic rats.

Methods: Ninety-six male Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into six groups. Saline-moistened gauze, pure gelatin or EGF in gelatin-microsphere dressings were used in a dermal excision model in both normal and streptomycin-induced diabetic rats. Wound healing was evaluated on day 7 and 14. Reduction in wound area, hydroxypyroline content and tensile strength of the wound were evaluated in each rat. Tissue samples taken from the wounds were examined histopathologically for reepithelialisation, cellular infiltration, number of fibroblasts, granulation and neovascularisation.

Results: On day 7, the use of EGF-containing dressing was observed to reduce the wound area better when compared with the other dressings tested. This effect was significant in normal rats rather than diabetic rats. The difference in reduction of wound area did not persist on day 14. No significant effect on hydroxyproline content of the wound was found with EGF-containing dressing in either normal or diabetic rats. There was a statistically significant increase in tensile strength values of EGF-applied non diabetic rats over the 14 day period. An increase in tensile strength was prominent in also EGF-applied diabetic rats on day 14. Histological examination revealed higher histopathologic scores in EGF-applied diabetic and non diabetic rats.

Conclusion: These findings implicate that use of EGF in gelatin-microsphere dressings improves wound healing both in normal and diabetic rats.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Wound areas of non diabetic and diabetic rats on day 7 and 14. (* P = 0· 008; † P = 0· 001).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Maximum pull force of normal skin sample and skin samples from non diabetic and diabetic rats.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Tensile strenght values of the normal skin sample and samples from non diabetic and diabetic rats on day 7 and 14. (* P = 0· 002; † P = 0· 021; ‡ P = 0· 00002; § P = 0· 00003; P = 0· 00081; # P = 0· 00078).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Hydroxyproline content of wounds on day 7 and 14. (* P = 0· 004; † P = 0· 011).
Figure 5
Figure 5
(A) N‐MG on day 7. Section from healing region covered by thick crust and a vascular fibrin remnants. A few number of cells can be seen (haematoxylin–eosin, ×10). (B) N‐SF on day 14. Completed epithelialisation and granulation tissue with vascularisation and inflammatory cell is observed. Also a dermal papilla can be noticed (haematoxylin–eosin, ×4). (C) N‐GS‐EGF on day 14. Epithelialisation is completed. Multiple dermal papilla are present. Connective tissue appearance of dermis hair follicules and sebaceous glands of the surrounding peripheral normal skin can also be noticed (Masson's trichrome, ×4).
Figure 6
Figure 6
(A) D‐MG on day 7. Wound area is filled with necrotic cells and covered by crust. (haematoxylin–Eosin, ×20). (B) D‐MG on day 14. Epithelialisation is completed, granulation tissue rich in vascularisation and inflammatory cell infiltration can be seen (haematoxylin–eosin, ×4). (C) D‐GS‐EGF on day 7. Completed epithelialisation was seperated from granulation artificially during sectioning. Crust covers epidermis but is surrounded and limited by the corneum layer. A piece of gelatin and infiltrative cells can be noticed in highly vascularised granulation tissue (haematoxylin–eosin, ×4). (D) D‐GS‐EGF on day 14. Completed epithelialisation and formation of multiple dermal papilla can be seen, collagen rich connective tissue in dermis is prominent. (Masson's trichrome, ×4).
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