INVESTIGATION OF ACIDIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR DELIVERED THROUGH A COLLAGEN SCAFFOLD FOR THE TREATMENT OF FULL-THICKNESS SKIN DEFECTS IN A RABBIT MODEL

In this study the wound healing response of full-thickness skin defect s was enhanced through the use of acidic fibroblast growth factor usin g a collagen scaffold. The objectives of this study were (1) to compar e the facilitatory effects of acidic fibroblast growth factor on the c ellular response (fibroblast, neutrophil: macrophage, epithelial), tis sue response (angiogenesis, collagen) and mechanical properties in a h ealing wound; and (2) to determine the effect of a collagen scaffold o n wound healing when compared with the control. Three 3 x 3 cm full-th ickness defects were created on the dorsi of lj New Zealand White rabb its. Each rabbit had a control (no treatment), collagen scaffold, and collagen scaffold with FGF-1 (100 mu g/cm(2)). All the wounds were cov ered with a transparent polyurethane dressing. There were three period s of study (1, 2, and 3 weeks) with five rabbits in each 1 period, The volume fraction of the tissue and cells was histomorphometrically det ermined for each wound. The acidic fibroblast growth factor/collagen s ystem shelved promise in enhancing the healing process. Acidic fibrobl ast growth factor/collagen treatment increased angiogenesis, enhanced epithelialization, and reduced contraction rate over the control. A hi gher inflammatory response was indicated in the collagen scaffold trea ted group. Hence acidic fibroblast growth factor delivered through a c ollagen scaffold shows promise in future clinical applications.