Intra-thoracic fibrous tissue induction by polylactic acid and epsilon-caprolactone copolymer cubes, with or without slow release of basic fibroblast growth factor.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether implantation of polylactic acid and epsilon-caprolactone copolymer (PLAC) cubes with or without basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) released slowly from gelatin microspheres was able to induce fibrous tissue in the dead space remaining after pneumonectomy in the thoracic cavity.


METHODS
Left pneumonectomy was performed in Japanese white rabbits. In the control group (n=6), the left thoracic cavity was closed without any treatment. In the FGF group (n=6), gelatin microspheres that released 100 microg of b-FGF were implanted into the left thoracic cavity. In the PLAC group (n=6), PLAC cubes were implanted into the left thoracic cavity. In the PLAC/FGF group (n=6), both PLAC cubes and gelatin microspheres releasing 100 microg of b-FGF were implanted into the left thoracic cavity.


RESULTS
In the control and FGF groups, herniation of the heart, mediastinal shift, and overinflation of the right lung were observed. No granular tissue formation was observed. In the PLAC and PLAC/FGF groups, a dense area of newly formed soft tissue was observed, and only a mild mediastinal shift was observed during the 3-month follow-up period. Pathological examination revealed induction of fibrous and granular tissue in the left thoracic cavity. The foreign-body reaction induced by PLAC was very mild.


CONCLUSIONS
Implantation of PLAC cubes with or without gelatin microspheres releasing 100 microg of b-FGF is able to induce fibrous tissue in the post-pneumonectomy dead space.
Misaki
Noriyuki
N
Second Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan.
Yamamoto
Yasumichi
Y
Okamoto
Taku
T
Chang
Sung Soo
SS
Igai
Hitoshi
H
Gotoh
Masashi
M
Tabata
Yasuhiko
Y
Yokomise
Hiroyasu
H
D000818:Animals; D002208:Caproates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003239:Connective Tissue Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D020007:Implants, Experimental / Q000592:standards; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007783:Lactones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011817:Rabbits; D035423:Thoracic Cavity; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
D002208:Caproates; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D007783:Lactones; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); C121056:caprolactone; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors