Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on normal tympanic membrane.
OBJECTIVE
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is mitogenic for the cell types that constitute the tympanic membrane and has been shown to potentiate tympanic membrane healing. The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct effect of bFGF application on normal tympanic membrane.


METHODS
bFGF was applied to the normal tympanic membrane of 10 guinea pigs via either the external auditory external canal or the middle ear. The drug (400 ng) was delivered on days 0, 1, and 2. The contralateral ear was used as a control. The effects were assessed on day 3.


RESULTS
The cumulative area and the average area of blood vessel in each session of TM was greater after bFGF application than placebo. The number of vessels remained unchanged. A proliferation of keratinocytes was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that bFGF induces a vasodilatation in the tympanic membrane thereby increasing blood supply. This might explain the acceleration of healing of TM perforations after bFGF application.
Mondain
M
M
Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla.
Ryan
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D010919:Placebos; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D014664:Vasodilation
D010919:Placebos; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2