title: Topical Application of a Silicone Gel Sheet with Verapamil Microparticles in a Rabbit Model of Hypertrophic Scar.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The authors developed a novel treatment based on the topical application of a silicone gel sheet containing verapamil microparticles. The ability of these silicone gel sheets to inhibit hypertrophic scar in a rabbit ear wound model was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten New Zealand White rabbits with a total of 80 wounds in both ears were used in this study. The rabbits were divided into five groups (control; silicone gel sheet; and silicone gel sheet plus 0.25, 2.5, and 25 mg of verapamil per gram). Histopathologic findings were quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean scar elevation index, fibroblast counts, and capillary counts differed significantly among the five groups (p < 0.05). The median scar elevation index was significantly lower in the silicone gel sheet plus 2.5 mg of verapamil per gram group than in the silicone gel sheet group (1.2 versus 2.2). The median number of fibroblasts was significantly lower in the silicone gel sheet plus 0.25 mg of verapamil per gram group than in the silicone gel sheet group (172.5 versus 243). In the median number of capillary lumina, there was no significant difference between the silicone gel sheet group and the silicone gel sheet plus 0.25, 2.5, and 25 mg of verapamil per gram groups (28.5, 18, 20, and 18, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical application of a silicone gel sheet with verapamil microparticles may be a novel, effective treatment method for hypertrophic scar, but its safety and efficacy in humans must be tested in clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Seoul, Republic of Korea From the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hospital Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea; and the Genewel R & D Center.
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Rha
authors.forename: Yun Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae-Jung
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gyeol
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Jong Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Rhie
authors.forename: Hyun-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Il-Kyu
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004423:Ear / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D020034:Silicone Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014700:Verapamil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D020034:Silicone Gels; D014700:Verapamil