Interferon alpha-2a reduces early erythema after full-thickness skin graft in the pig.
BACKGROUND
Skin grafting is a commonly performed procedure, but studies of changes in the levels of cytokines after skin grafting have not been reported.


OBJECTIVE
We examined changes in cytokines and the degree of erythema after skin grafting in pigs in the control group. Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) was injected to reduce erythema, and subsequent changes in cytokines and the degree of erythema were examined in the experimental group.


METHODS
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), and CD31 were examined using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The degree of erythema was measured at 2, 4, and 8 weeks using a chromometer.


RESULTS
In the control group, VEGF increased at 2 weeks and decreased at 4 and 8 weeks. TSP1 increased over time. CD31 increased to 4 weeks and decreased at 8 weeks. In the experimental group, VEGF was lower at 2 weeks and higher at 8 weeks than in the control group, TSP1 was higher at 2 weeks and lower at 8 weeks, and CD31 was lower at 4 and 8 weeks. Erythema in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group at 2 and 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
IFN-alpha may be one of the agents that reduces erythema by suppressing excessive revascularization.
Kim
Jun Sik
JS
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Hospital Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
Son
Daegu
D
Choi
Tae Hyun
TH
Han
Kihwan
K
Kim
Jun Hyung
JH
Cho
Hyun Mi
HM
Kim
Won Hee
WH
Kim
Sang-Hyon
SH
Kim
Nam Gyun
NG
Lee
Kyung Suk
KS
Hwang
O Hyun
OH
Roh
Gu Seob
GS
Park
Jungbin
J
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D023421:Models, Animal; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013552:Swine
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D016207:Cytokines; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins