ACIDIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR ACCELERATES DERMAL WOUND-HEALING IN DIABETIC MICE

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) is a potent mitogenic and chemo tactic agent for vascular endothelial cells, dermal fibroblasts, and e pidermal keratinocytes, the principal cellular constituents of skin. T o explore its potential to heal chronic dermal wounds, we applied pure recombinant human aFGF topically to full-thickness excisional injurie s in healing-impaired genetically diabetic mice. Transformation of the nonlinear percent initial wound areas as a function of time to linear rates of tissue ingrowth from the original wound edges showed that aF GF increased wound closure in a dose-dependent manner, Optimal 3-mu g/ cm(2) doses of aFGF nearly tripled the linear rate of healing. The med ian time to complete closure decreased from 46 d in vehicle-treated wo unds to only 16 d in those treated with aFGF. Histomorphometric analys es established that aFGF increased granulation tissue formation and re epithelialization throughout healing. Vehicle- and aFGF-treated wounds appeared to be histologically equivalent by the time of closure. Ther efore, aFGF has potential therapeutic applications for promoting heali ng of dermal ulcers, especially in healing-impaired individuals.