The effects of epidermal growth factor on early burn-wound progression in rats

Insights in wound healing properties of water-soluble composition of dihydroquercetin and L-lysine

This study focuses on implementing a composition of the natural flavonoid dihydroquercetin (DHQ) with L-lysine in the treatment of thermal burns. The wound-healing activity of DHQ is well-known. The addition of amino acid to the composition increases the water solubility of the flavonoids, providing an opportunity to develop a spray dosage form. The research involved 60 male Wistar rats divided into five treatment groups. Sea buck oil served as a positive control. On day 14, the composition treatment group showed significant progress in wound healing, being 9.6 ± 2.0% ahead of the other groups in absolute terms. On day 35, treatment with the composition resulted in a significant decrease in relative wound area to 1.9 ± 0.9%, while in the negative and positive control groups, it was 10.7 ± 7.8% and 8.4 ± 4.9%, respectively. At the same time, the epidermal and dermal layers were found to be clearly distinguished in the composition treatment according to histological analysis. Numerous collagen fibres were clearly visible, and the active process of keloid scar formation was observed. An additive effect of the combined use of DHQ and L-lysine was observed (F = 0.21, p = 0.649). A natural next step is to develop the dosage form for the DHQ-L-lysine composition.

Clinical Study of Rh-bFGF Combined With Collagen Sponge in the Treatment of Maxillofacial Deep Ⅱ Degree Burn

OBJECTIVES

To observe the clinical effect of recombinant human alkaline fibroblast growth factor (rh-bFGF) combined with collagen sponge in the treatment of maxillofacial deepⅡ degree burn.

METHODS

From January 2019 to January 2022, 96 patients with maxillofacial deep Ⅱ degree burns were randomly divided into a control group (N=48) and an observation group (N=48). The observation group was treated with rh-bFGF and collagen sponge after debridement, whereas the control group was treated with silver sulfadiazine ointment after debridement. The healing rate and healing time of the wounds were observed, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10, epidermal growth factor (EGF), endothelial growth factor growth factor (VEGF), and metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1) were measured. Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to evaluate the local scar at 6 months after wound healing in both groups.

RESULTS

On the 10th, 14th, and 21st day of treatment, the wound healing rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), the wound healing time in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and on the 14th day of treatment, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of IL-10 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of EGF, VEGF, and TIMP-1 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the scores of VSS in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Rh-bFGF combined with collagen sponge can decrease the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and increase the levels of IL-10, which can control the inflammation effectively, at the same time, it can increase the level of EGF, VEGF, and TIMP-1, promote wound healing, and reduce scar hyperplasia. The treatment protocol is simple, safe, effective, and suitable for clinical application.

Burn Injury-related Growth Factor Expressions and Their Potential Roles in Burn-related Neuropathies

In the context of burn injury, growth factors (GFs) play a significant role in mediating the complex local and systematic processes that occur. Among the many systemic complications that arise following a burn injury, peripheral neuropathy remains one of the most common. Despite the broad understanding of the effects GFs have on multiple tissues, their potential implications in both wound healing and neuropathy remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this review aims to investigate the expression patterns of GFs prominent during the burn wound healing process and explore the potential contributions these GFs have on the development of burn-related peripheral neuropathy.

Keratinized tissue augmentation using collagen-based soft tissue substitute with/without epidermal growth factor on buccally positioned implants: a pilot preclinical study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of epithelial growth factor (EGF) with collagen matrix (CM) on the gain of KT for buccally positioned implants in dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In five dogs, four implants were placed buccally with the whole part of KT excision on the buccal side (two implants per each hemi-mandible). After one month, KT augmentation was performed: 1) free gingival grafts (FGG), 2) collagen matrix (CM) only, 3) CM soaked with 1 μg/g of EGF, and 4) CM soaked with 10 μg/g of EGF (n = 5 in each group). The experimental animals were sacrificed three months post-KT augmentation. Clinical, histologic, and histomorphometric analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The clinical KT zone was the highest in group FGG (5.16 ± 1.63 mm). Histologically, all groups presented buccal bony dehiscence. Regarding newly formed KT, no specific difference was found among the groups, but robust rete pegs formation in some specimens in group FGG. Histomorphometric KT height (4.66 ± 1.81 mm) and length (5.56 ± 2.25 mm) were the highest in group FGG, whereas similar increases were noted in the rest. The buccal soft tissue thickness at the coronal part of the implant did not exceed 2 mm in all groups.

CONCLUSION

All groups presented increased KT zone, but FGG treatment was more favored. The addition of EGF to CM appeared not to enhance KT formation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

FGG treatment was more favorable to re-establish the KT zone than other treatment modalities.

Paediatric Partial-Thickness Burn Therapy: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Paediatric second-degree burn injuries are a significant source of medical challenges to the population that may cause severe, lifelong complications. Currently, there are dozens of therapeutic modalities and we aimed to summarise their reported outcomes and determine their effectiveness, compared to the widely used silver sulphadiazine (SSD).

METHODS

We conducted the meta-analysis and systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which investigated the performance of dressings in acute paediatric partial-thickness burns. The evaluated endpoints were time until wound closure, grafting and infection rate, number of dressing changes and length of hospitalisation.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine RCTs were included in the qualitative and 25 in the quantitative synthesis, but only three trials compared SSD directly to the same intervention (Biobrane). Data analysis showed a tendency for faster healing times and a reduced complication rate linked to biosynthetic, silver foam and amnion membrane dressings. A substantial difference was found between the number of dressing changes associated with less pain, narcosis and treatment duration.

CONCLUSIONS

Considerable between-study heterogeneity was caused by the unequal depth subcategory ratio and surface area of the injuries; therefore, no significant difference was found in the main outcomes. Further research is necessary to establish the most effective treatment for these burns.

Growth Factors, Reactive Oxygen Species, and Metformin-Promoters of the Wound Healing Process in Burns?

Burns can be caused by various factors and have an increased risk of infection that can seriously delay the wound healing process. Chronic wounds caused by burns represent a major health problem. Wound healing is a complex process, orchestrated by cytokines, growth factors, prostaglandins, free radicals, clotting factors, and nitric oxide. Growth factors released during this process are involved in cell growth, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Reactive oxygen species are released in acute and chronic burn injuries and play key roles in healing and regeneration. The main aim of this review is to present the roles of growth factors, reactive oxygen species, and metformin in the healing process of burn injuries.

Modeling Burn Progression Using Comb Burns: The Impact of Thermal Contact Duration on Model Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Burn progression is a phenomenon that remains poorly characterized. The mechanisms of burn conversion are not completely understood, and consequently, both predictive diagnostic tools and interventions are limited. The rat comb burn model is a commonly used approach to study horizontal burn conversion. However, there is significant variability in how the model is performed. Skin contact duration, comb device heating method, comb heating duration, amount of pressure applied, the weight of the comb, and associated depth of burn are all variables that are heterogeneous in studies utilizing the model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, contact duration was examined to determine the impact the duration of burn delivery has on the conversion of interspaces in this model. Data from multiple experiments consisting of 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 45 s comb burns were compiled and assessed. Burns were made using combs heated in a 100°C dry bath and then monitored for 2 d. Interspace viability was assessed by digital and laser doppler imaging and biopsy procurement.

RESULTS

Laser Doppler Imaging and viable interspace measurements showed that as burn duration increased, the percentage of the viable interspace and interspace perfusion decreased. Additionally, a contact time of 30 s or greater was required to result in 100% interspace conversion.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate a need to better characterize and potentially standardize the rat comb burn model to reduce variation and maintain it as a valuable tool for controlled studies of the pathophysiology of burn wound progression.