Topical Single-dose Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor has No Effect on Soft Tissue Healing

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in dermal wounds has been evaluated for evidence that it plays a probable role in wound healing. Events such as increased vascular permeability and concentration of inflammatory cells on the site of injury, produced by VEGF, were linked to tissue repair.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of single-dose topical administration of VEGF on wound healing.

A total of 30 male Wistar albino rats weighing 250-280 g were used in this study. In addition, 2-cm-long skin incisions were created over bilaterally exposed skin of the tibia region in each rat. VEGF plasmid 2 μg was administered locally into the right side wound bed of each animal. No other procedure besides skin closure was administered on the left side. To determine histologic assessments, skin samples were obtained from six anesthetized rats at each interval (4, 8, 12, 16 and 30 days) through excisional biopsy. The tissues were fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for 1 week and then embedded in paraffin wax. Transverse sections of the embedded tissue 5-7 μm thick were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E).

There was no significant difference regarding necrosis, epithelialization, inflammation, fibroblast activity, ulcerative formation, or hemorrhage between experimental and control groups. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups regarding granulation tissue formation and epidermal thickness.

The administration method and dosage of VEGF is a major factor in terms of its effectiveness. The results of the present study did not evaluate the effectiveness of single-dose 2 μg topical administration of VEGF; however, various doses of VEGF plasmid should be tested in future studies in order to provide beneficial effects from topical administration of VEGF.