title: [Expression of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in human split-thickness skin graft].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) in human split-thickness skin autograft and the role of alpha-MSH in hyperpigmented process of the grafted skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression and distribution of alpha-MSH in the split-thickness grafted skin and normal skin separately.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of alpha-MSH in most of the split-thickness grafted skin was much stronger than the control skin. The positive ratio of alpha-MSH expression was 61.1% in the split-thickness grafted skin, 11.1% in the normal skin of the donor area and 16.7% in the normal skin around the recipient area. The expression of alpha-MSH in the split-thickness grafted skin was significant high, compared with the normal skins (P < 0.01). The expression of alpha-MSH in the normal skin of the donor area was no statistic remarkably differences compared to the normal skin around the recipient area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that the expression of alpha-MSH may markedly increase in the split-thickness grafted skin and correlate with its pigmentation after the skin graft. Overexpression of alpha-MSH may play an important role in hyperpigmented process of the skin graft.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Chun-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jing-de
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jian-sheng
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D000521:alpha-MSH