title: Promotion of tracheal cartilage growth by intra-tracheal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) is a very effective growth factor that induces the proliferation of chondrocytes. This study aimed to investigate whether intra-tracheally-injected b-FGF solution promotes the growth of tracheal cartilage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group 1: 500 μl of distilled water was injected at the posterior wall of the cervical trachea of New Zealand white rabbits by using a tracheoscope (n=5). Group 2: 100 μg/500 μl of b-FGF solution was injected at the posterior wall of the cervical trachea (n=5). Group 3: Biodegradable gelatin hydrogel microspheres incorporating 100 μg/500 μl of b-FGF solution were injected at the posterior wall of the cervical trachea (n=5). All animals were sacrificed 4 weeks later, and the outer diameter and luminal area of the cervical trachea at the site of b-FGF injection were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cervical tracheas in the two b-FGF injection groups were spindle-shaped and had a maximum diameter at the injection site. The median outer diameter of the cervical trachea in Groups 1, 2, and 3 was 7.3, 8.0, and 8.0mm, respectively, showing a significant difference among Groups 1, 2, and 3 (P=0.04). The median luminal area in Groups 1, 2, and 3 was 27.4, 29.4, and 32.1mm(2), respectively. The ad hoc test showed a marginally significant difference only between groups 1 and 3 (p=0.056).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-tracheal injection of slowly released b-FGF enlarged the tracheal lumen.
authors: Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655; Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyamacho, Irumagun, Saitama prefecture 350-0495. Electronic address: komura-tky@umin.ac.jp.
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Komura
authors: Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655.
authors: Hiroko
authors: H
authors: Komura
authors: Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655.
authors: Kenichirou
authors: K
authors: Konishi
authors: Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655.
authors: Tetsuya
authors: T
authors: Ishimaru
authors: Dept. of Tissue Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655.
authors: Kazuto
authors: K
authors: Hoshi
authors: Dept. of Tissue Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655.
authors: Tsuyoshi
authors: T
authors: Takato
authors: Dept. of Biomaterials, Field of Tissue Engineering, Institute of Frontier Medical Science, Kyoto University, 53 Shogoin Kawara cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto prefecture, 606-8507.
authors: Yasuhiko
authors: Y
authors: Tabata
authors: Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655.
authors: Tadashi
authors: T
authors: Iwanaka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008863:Microspheres; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; C114444:trafermin; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors
keywords: Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF); Slow release; Trachea growth enhancement; Tracheal cartilage