title: Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor β1 on the healing of reconstructed dura by carbon dioxide laser soldering in minipigs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser soldering is an alternative technique for tissue bonding. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor β(1) (TGFβ(1)) are two key factors for wound healing. This study was performed to demonstrate the efficacy of CO2 laser soldering for dural reconstruction and the effect of bFGF and TGFβ(1) on healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Part I, 10 minipigs were randomized into two equal groups. Dural defects were reconstructed by conventional fibrin glue bonding (group I(a)) or CO2 laser soldering (group I(b)). The reconstructed dura was subjected to burst pressure (BP) measurement and immunohistochemical staining after 1 week. In Part II, 36 minipigs were randomized into three equal groups. Dural reconstruction was achieved by CO2 laser soldering. Exogenous bFGF (group II(b)) or TGFβ(1) (group II(c)) was administered while group II(a) served as a control group. The specimens were subjected to BP measurement after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Part I, the dura specimens displayed positive staining of only bFGF in group I(a) and of both bFGF and TGFβ(1) in group I(b). Group I(b) showed higher BP than group I(a) ((98.00 ± 21.41) mmHg vs. (70.80 ± 15.09) mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05). In Part II, BP of group II(c) was significantly higher than that of group II(a) (P < 0.01). The BP of group II(a) trended toward stabilization after 3 weeks of growth, while that of groups II(b) and II(c) trended toward stabilization after 2 weeks of growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CO2 laser soldering is a reliable technique for dural reconstruction. The superior healing of dural reconstruction by CO2 laser soldering may be related to higher expression of bFGF and TGFβ(1), and CO2 lasers may stimulate their secretion. Exogenous bFGF or TGFβ(1) may improve healing by shortening the wound healing time, and exogenous TGFβ(1) may improve the tensile strength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Hong-liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Zhen-min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhi-jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Fu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhong-cheng
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Pi-nan
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000737:chemistry; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2