Abstract
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-containing agents are used at a number of institutions to aid in healing wounds. bFGF causes migration and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscles; however, there have been no reports on the effects of bFGF on vascular anastomotic sites, as observed through histological presentations. For reconstruction of the extremities, in particular the fingers and palms, early rehabilitation is important for functional recovery; and early restoration of the vascular anastomotic sites plays an essential role. In the current study, a slow-release hydrogen gel preparation containing bFGF was used to determine the process of recovery at vascular anastomotic sites. Following sedation with ether, rats underwent intraperitoneal anesthesia using pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg). The femoral artery was exposed, transected and anastomosed using a 10-0 nylon suture. The animals were assigned to one of the following 3 groups: vascular anastomosis only (the control group) or either of the 2 groups with anastomotic sites treated with bFGF (50 or 100 μg) contained in 2 mg of a hydrogen gel (a slow-release preparation). For histological examination, tissue samples were obtained under the above-described anesthetic procedure 3, 5 and 7 days after application of the agent. To evaluate recovery at the vascular anastomotic sites, 2 types of immuno-staining (bFGF and VEGF) were conducted; the cells expressing bFGF and VEGF were counted at 3 locations (0.3 × 0.3 mm) around these anastomotic sites. A statistical analysis of these counts was conducted. The expressions of bFGF and VEGF were significant with significant differences between the groups treated with the bFGF slow release agent and the control group. The results of the current study suggest that the use of a bFGF slow release agent is effective for early recovery at vascular anastomotic sites.
