title: Transforming growth factor β 1 gene expression during vaginal vs cutaneous surgical woundexpression during vaginal vs cutaneous surgical wound healing in the rabbit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reconstructive pelvic surgery outcome is closely related to the vaginal and pelvic wound healing processes. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is a principal mediator of wound repair in dermal tissue. We sought to assess this factor's expression in vaginal and dermal surgical wound repair in the rabbit.
  
  
  METHODS
  We excised bilateral 6-mm full-thickness circular segments from the abdominal skin and vagina in 36 New Zealand White (NZW) nulliparous female rabbits. Animals were sacrificed before, on the day of, and 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after tissue wounding, and their wounds were assessed for surface area and TGF-β1 gene transcription by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both the abdominal skin and vagina, TGF-β1 gene transcription increased immediately after tissue injury, reaching maximal levels on days 4-7, and decreased shortly thereafter, attaining minimal values on day 35. A significant correlation between TGF-β1 expression and the wound's closure rate was found in both tissues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TGF-β1 gene transcription significantly correlates with the surgical vaginal and dermal wound closure rate, implying that this factor is involved in the process of wound repair in both tissues.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Carmel Medical Center, Technion University, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel. yabramov@012.net.il
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abramov
authors.forename: Emmet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ilievski
authors.forename: Roger P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Sylvia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Botros
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014621:Vagina / Q000293:injuries*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1