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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection
Published on: August 23, 2022
[Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on the matrix metalloproteinase-2,7 and its tissue inhibitor on deep
Biao Cheng1, Xiao-bing Fu, Zhi-yong Sheng
1Burn Institute of the 304th Hospital, PLA, Beijing 100037, P.R. China.
Objective:
To observe the changes in matrix metalloproteinase-2,7 (MMP-2,7) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in deep partial thickness burn during the process of wound healing, and the effects of bFGF on wound healing.
Methods:
The rats inflicted by 30% TBSA deep partial thickness burn were randomly divided into simple scald and bFGF treatment groups. Biopsies from wound skin were harvested at 3 and 6PBHs and 1, 3, 7, 14 PBDs for the detection of the epithelialization rate and collagen content. The above indices were also detected in the skin of another 6 normal rats as normal control.
Results:
(1) The epithelialization rate in bFGF treatment group was higher than that in simple scald group during 3PBH to 14 PBD. (2) The collagen contents in both bFGF treatment group and simple scald group were continually decreased during 3 PBH to 3 PBD, and increased from 7 to 14 PBD, but still lower than that in normal control (P < 0.05). (3) The expression of MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 in simple scald group enhanced from 1 to 14 PBD, and peaked on 7 PBD. (4) The expression of MMP-2,7 in bFGF treatment group was similar to that in simple scald group from 3 to 6 PBH, while the expressions of MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 was higher than those in simple scald group from 1 to 14 PBD.
Conclusion:
The collagen deposition would be affected by the activities of extracellular matrix in scald wound in rats. Changes in MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 expressions were an important process of wound repair, which was closely related to the acceleration of wound healing by the application of bFGF.
Insights
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) accelerates deep partial thickness burn wound healing in rats by modulating matrix metalloproteinase-2,7 (MMP-2,7) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) expression, enhancing epithelialization and collagen deposition.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Wound Healing Research
- Extracellular Matrix Dynamics
Context:
- Deep partial thickness burns present significant challenges in wound healing.
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) play crucial roles in tissue remodeling during healing.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing burn wound repair is essential for developing effective treatments.
Purpose:
- To investigate the dynamic changes in MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 during deep partial thickness burn wound healing in rats.
- To evaluate the therapeutic effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on burn wound healing.
- To correlate MMP/TIMP expression patterns with epithelialization rates and collagen content.
Summary:
- In a rat model of deep partial thickness burns, bFGF treatment significantly increased epithelialization rates compared to simple scald controls.
- Collagen content initially decreased then increased, remaining lower than normal controls, in both groups.
- MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 expression levels were upregulated in scalded wounds, peaking at 7 days post-burn.
- bFGF treatment led to higher MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 expression from day 1 to day 14 post-burn compared to the simple scald group.
Impact:
- The findings highlight the critical role of MMP-2,7 and TIMP-2 in regulating extracellular matrix remodeling during burn wound repair.
- bFGF demonstrates therapeutic potential in accelerating burn wound healing, likely through modulation of MMP/TIMP activity.
- This research provides insights into the molecular basis of bFGF-mediated wound healing, paving the way for targeted therapeutic strategies.
