Increased postoperative concentrations of tenascin-C in wound fluid.
BACKGROUND
Tenascin-C (Tn-C) is the most studied member of a family comprising large oligomeric glycoproteins in the extracellular matrix. The function of Tn-C still is unclear, and the levels of Tn-C in human wound fluid have not been studied.


METHODS
The participants in this study were 24 patients referred for elective major gastrointestinal surgery. Concentrations of Tn-C and procollagen propeptides type 1 and type 3 in serum and wound fluid were measured after surgery.


RESULTS
In wound fluid, Tn-C was present on postoperative day 1, and the concentration increased from day 5 up to day 7.


CONCLUSIONS
The concentration of Tn-C increases postoperatively in wound fluid. The concentration of Tn-C in wound fluid is markedly higher than that of serum. The differences in expression between Tn-C and the procollagen propeptides may reflect different tasks of these extracellular matrix proteins.
Wiik
Heikki T
HT
Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. Heikki.Wiik@ppshp.fi
Kaarteenaho-Wiik
Riitta L
RL
Mertaniemi
Päivi E
PE
Risteli
Juha P
JP
Syrjälä
Hannu P
HP
Haukipuro
Kari A
KA
D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000378:metabolism*; D019063:Tenascin / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; D019063:Tenascin; C047202:procollagen Type I N-terminal peptide; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide