title: Topical platelet-derived growth factor enhances wound closure in the absence of wound contraction: an experimental and clinical study.
abstract: The effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on wound healing in animal and human models were investigated. Four 1-cm2 wounds were made on the dorsum of 3 rats. A 0.5-cm punch wound was made behind each ear of 4 patients. Half the wounds were treated daily with vehicle, controls, and the rest were treated with PDGF. Treated wounds closed faster than the controls (animals: 16 +/- 3.2 days vs. 17.8 +/- 2.17 days; p < 0.05) and (patients: 16 +/- 0.67 days vs. 19.5 +/- 0.33 days; p < 0.05). Biopsies were taken at day 20 for polarized light-Sirius red histological analysis. The granulation tissue of PDGF-treated wounds showed fine collagen fibers with weak birefringence, characteristic of immature granulation tissue, deposited throughout the healed wound site. Such a pattern indicates wound closure by reepithelialization and filling in with scar. Control wound biopsies showed a small area of immature granulation tissue surrounded by intact dermal thick collagen fibers with strong birefringence. Such a pattern indicates wound closure by wound contraction. This shows that PDGF enhances wound closure by reepithelialization and the prevention of wound contraction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Penn State University College of Medicine/Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA.
authors.forename: Amer A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Saba
authors.forename: Bruce M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Gaffield
authors.forename: Donald R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: H Paul
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077214:Becaplermin; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D000077214:Becaplermin