Tracheal cartilage growth by intratracheal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor

We have previously shown that intratracheal injection of slowly released (in gelatin) basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) significantly enlarged the tracheal lumen by a slight margin. This study aimed to investigate differences in tracheal cartilage growth by the intratracheal injection of bFGF doses in a rabbit model.

Water (group 1; n=7; control) or 100μg (group 2; n=8) or 200μg (group 3; n=8) of bFGF dissolved in water was injected into the posterior wall of the cervical trachea of New Zealand white rabbits using a tracheoscope. All animals were sacrificed four weeks later.

The mean circumferences of cervical tracheas for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 18.8±0.83, 21.1±2.0, and 22.1±1.3mm, respectively. A significant difference was found between groups 1 and 2 (P=0.034) and groups 1 and 3 (P=0.004). The mean luminal areas of cervical tracheas for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 27.0±2.1, 32.2±4.8, and 36.3±4.6mm², respectively. A significant difference was found between groups 1 and 3 (P=0.001).

Intratracheal injection of bFGF in the dose range used significantly promoted the growth of tracheal cartilage in a rabbit model.

Level II at treatment study (animal experiment).