title: Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on random pattern skin flap survival in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of pharmacological delay with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on skin flap survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were submitted to dorsal skin flap (3x9 cm). Seven days before the surgery, the animals were subdivided into three groups of 10 rats. In group 1 (controls), no injection was done. Seven days before the elevation, saline had been injected to the marked skin flap area in group 2 (sham group), and group 3 (experimental group) underwent a pharmacological delay with subcutaneous IGF-1 injections. On the seventh postoperative day, flap area was analyzed for survival. Tissue samples were obtained for histological and biochemical evaluations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survival rates were 43.55 ± 16%, 21.40 ± 8%, and 43.12 ± 14% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Differences between group 2 and other groups were statistically significant. No significant difference was detected between all three groups for tissue or plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. There was no significant histological difference between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a single injection of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) did not significantly increase flap survival, its wound healing features are still encouraging and further meticulously planned studies, especially with repeated applications or controlled-release methods, and combinations with binding protein are required.
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ordu University, Turkey. Scientific, intellectual, conception and design of the study; manuscript preparation and writing; final approval.
authors: Nurten Turhan
authors: NT
authors: Haktanır
authors: MD, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Unye State Hospital, Ordu, Turkey. Acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; technical procedures; statistical analysis; manuscript preparation.
authors: Güray
authors: G
authors: Yılmaz
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Turkey. Histopathological examinations.
authors: Mehmet Fatih
authors: MF
authors: Bozkurt
authors: Full Professor, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Turkey. Critical revision.
authors: Yavuz
authors: Y
authors: Demir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I