Effects of a collagen matrix containing prostaglandin E-1 on wound contraction

In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of prostaglandin (PG) E-1 in inhibiting wound contraction, both alone and in combination with collagen m atrix, using a in vivo full thickness skin defect model. To clarify the mec hanisms involved in this inhibition we also used a fibroblast-populated col lagen gel contraction in vitro model. We demonstrated that collagen matrix alone significantly inhibited wound contraction PG E-1 alone did not. Inter estingly, their combination was much more effective than either collagen ma trix or PG E-1 alone, a finding which was also supported by histopathologic al examination. Wounds treated with collagen matrix, but not control wounds , showed horizontal rearrangement of collagen fibers in the dermal part as well as evidence of active fibroblast proliferation which was not observed in scar regions surrounded by normal dermis. With the fibroblast-populated collagen gel contraction in vitro model, we found that PG E-1 significantly inhibited contraction at a high dose. It was concluded that collagen matri x combined with PG E-1 is effective for preventing contracture producing so called neodermis than collagen matrix alone, which remains one of the most challenging problems in treating full thickness type wounds. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.