title: [Changes in neuropeptide substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide in scarless wound healing in fetal rabbit skin].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the role of the neuropeptide in fetal scarless wound healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  The animal models were replicated in which a full-thickness wound was inflicted on the back of rabbit fetuses at 22 days gestation (term=31 days). The progress of wound healing was observed on micro-and macro-levels at the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th, 14 th post-injury days respectively. The expression level of substance P(SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) during wound healing was assessed by immunohistochemistry staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cutaneous wounds in fetal rabbits healed more rapidly than that in adult and without the formation of scar. The expression of SP and CGRP of wound decreased in fetal rabbit at the early stage post-injury, down to the lowest levels on the 2 nd post-injury day (75%, 80%, vs. fetal control, both P<0.01), then increased gradually, up to the normal levels. The expression of SP and CGRP of wound decreased in adult rabbit at the early stage post-injury, down to the lowest levels on the post-injury 1 st day (60%, 76%, vs. adult control, both P<0.01), then increased quickly, up to a higher level than normal group, reaching the peak on the post-injury 7th day(168%, 126%, vs. adult control, both P<0.01), then returned to the normal levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low level of neuropeptide may contribute to scarless wound healing in fetal rabbit.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Xi-nan
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Zheng-guo
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li-li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: De-bing
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D013373:Substance P; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide