title: Efficacy of gelatin gel sheets in sustaining the release of basic fibroblast growth factor for murine skin defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gelatin has been used as a material sustaining the release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which promotes fibroblast proliferation and capillary formation and accelerates wound healing. In the application of these materials, bFGF is impregnated immediately before application, and it is difficult to conform the shape to the wound. In this study, we prepared a pliable and plastic gelatin gel sheet (GGS) that sustains bFGF and conforms to the shape of the wound as a result of cross-linking just before application. In addition, we examined the sustained release profile of bFGF from GGS and its effect on wound healing in murine skin defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 13-wt% gelatin solution was mixed with bFGF before cross-linking with 1% glutaraldehyde solution. GGSs impregnated with 7 μg/cm(2) of bFGF were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline and collagenase solution, and GGS degradation and bFGF release were evaluated. In the murine experiments, GGSs treated without bFGF and GGSs impregnated with 1, 3.5, 7, or 14 μg/cm(2) of bFGF were applied to full-thickness skin defects created on the backs of C57BL/6JJcl mice, and the wound closure, epithelial length, extent of granulation tissue and capillary formation were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  bFGF was released according to the degradation of GGS in phosphate-buffered saline, and the remaining bFGF was released in collagenase solution. In the animal studies, epithelialization was accelerated in the GGSs treated with 1 and 3.5 μg/cm(2) of bFGF, and granulation tissue formation and angiogenesis were promoted based on the amount of bFGF impregnated into the GGS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GGS impregnated with bFGF is capable of sustaining the release of bFGF, with consequent accelerated epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, and angiogenesis in vivo. GGS is a novel and promising wound dressing that sustains bFGF and can be adapted to the shape of various wounds in the treatment of both acute and chronic wounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Michiharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address: morimoton@hirakata.kmu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ogino
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Chizuru
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jinno
authors.affiliation: Gunze Limited Medical Division, Ayabe, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuguyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taira
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigehiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004548:Elasticity; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005780:Gelatin; D008297:Male; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D005780:Gelatin
keywords: Basic fibroblast growth factor; Cutometer; Gelatin gel; Murine model; Sustained release; Wound healing