STIMULATION OF ANGIOGENESIS BY FGF-1 DELIVERED THROUGH A MODIFIED FIBRIN SCAFFOLD

A few studies have indicated that repeated dosing of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) is essential to be effective in modulating the wound-healing response. However, little investigation has been done to determine the effective dosing regimen of FGF-1 or the appropriate ca rrier vehicle for this growth factor. The main objective of this study was to determine the effective angiogenic stimulatatory dose of FGF-d elivered through a modified fibrin matrix, using a rabbit ear ulcer mo del. Specifically, the aim was to test the effects of FGF-1 on the ang iogenic, fibroblastic, and epithelial responses in a wound model. Five 6-mm diameter ulcers to the depth of bare cartilage were created on e ach rabbit ear. Four different combinations (0.8, 8, 80, and 800 mu g/ ml) of the growth factor were examined across two periods of study. Po oled modified fibrin was used to deliver the growth factor. Histomorph ometrical quantification was conducted after routine histological proc essing of the ulcers sites. Data analysis indicated a strong correlati on between concentration and the histomorphometric response. In genera l, the growth factor treatments affected the healing response and exhi bited a dose-dependent behavior. The addition of FGF-1 led to an incre ase in the angiogenic and fibroblastic responses, as well as an increa se in the epithelialization rate. The preferred dose of 8 mu g initiat ed a high epithelialization rate, fibroblastic, and angiogenic respons es, and was the lowest dose required to initiate these responses.