Effects of mechanical compression on hypertrophic scars: prostaglandin E-2release

An alteration in the normal process of tissue repair can lead to the format ion of hypertrophic scars. The best prevention and control of hypertrophy, especially in burn scars, is achieved using elastocompression, through a me chanism not yet clarified. Various studies have shown that mechanical compr ession induces the release of prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) and that PGE(2) in creases the expression of collagenases. In this study, we evaluated the eff ect of mechanical compression in vitro on PGE(2) release in human normotrop hic (NS) and hypertrophic (IIS) burn scars. PGE(2) basal levels in HS were significantly lower than those present in NS, and compression induced a sig nificant increase in the release of PGE(2) in HS scar in remission (7.2 tim es basal level) and active stages (5.88 times basal level). This increase s eemed to be only partially IL-I beta -dependent. These data suggest a role for PGE(2) in the process of hypertrophy remission induced by pressure ther apy. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.