title: Gelatin hydrogel with basic fibroblast growth factor for tympanic membrane regeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this developmental research study that aimed to develop tympanic membrane regeneration therapy, we devised a method of sustained bFGF formulation release using gelatin hydrogel in a guinea pig eardrum perforation model.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can promote perforation closure. In addition, several studies of bFGF formulations have used gelatin hydrogel-bFGF coupled electrostatically to a gelatin polymer. BFGF is released gradually as a result of degradation of the gelatin polymer, and studies have shown that the long-term pharmacologic effects of bFGF can be maintained.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a CO(2) laser, total tympanic membrane perforations were created in 24 guinea pig ears and divided into 3 groups: the bFGF-gelatin hydrogel group(n = 8), the saline-gelatin hydrogel group (n = 8), and the control group (n = 8). Either a bFGF formulation or saline was impregnated into gelatin hydrogen and implanted into the perforated tympanic membrane.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All ear drums of the control group showed large perforations at even the 30th postoperative day. The perforation persisted in 3 of 8 ears in the saline-gelatin hydrogel group, and the tympanic membranes that had achieved closure were thinned, whereas all ears in the bFGF-gelatin hydrogel group achieved closure of the perforation. In the ears in which a normal tympanic membrane had regenerated, histologic observation with hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that, although mucosal and epithelial layer regeneration had occurred in the saline-gelatin hydrogel group, the bFGF-gelatin hydrogel group showed regeneration of the fibrous layer in addition to the other 2 layers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that hydrogel impregnated with bFGF induces regeneration of the tympanic membrane and can conservatively treat tympanic membrane perforation.
authors: *Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ehime University School of Medicine, Ehime; and †Department of Biomaterials, Field of Tissue Engineering, Kyoto University School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Nobuhiro
authors: N
authors: Hakuba
authors: Yasuhiko
authors: Y
authors: Tabata
authors: Naohito
authors: N
authors: Hato
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Fujiwara
authors: Kiyofumi
authors: K
authors: Gyo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D005780:Gelatin