Sapylin promotes wound healing in mouse skin flaps

Seroma formation is one of the most common complications after modified radical mastectomy. Sapylin is an agent used to reduce seroma formation following breast cancer surgery. In this article, we aimed to identify the potential mechanism by which Sapylin reduced seroma formation. Thirty-six female C57 mice were randomly divided into three groups. All mice were anaesthetized and a skin flap was generated on their abdomens. Each group was treated with normal saline, 0.5 KE/ml of Sapylin, or 50% hypertonic glucose, respectively. On day 3 and day 7 after the surgery, six mice in each group were sacrificed. Skin flap samples were collected and markers of angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, fibroplasia and matrix remodeling were detected. The skin flaps from the Sapylin- or hypertonic glucose-treated mice closed faster than the skin flaps from the mice treated with normal saline. The neovessel density was higher in the skin flaps from the mice in the Sapylin group than those in the other two groups. Increased mRNA and protein expression of angiogenesis markers (VEGF-A and HIF-1α) and collagen synthesis markers (FGF2 and TGF-β1) were observed in the mice in the Sapylin group compared with the saline- or hypertonic glucose-treated mice. The extracellular matrix remodeling marker MMP2 was induced by Sapylin only in the early phase (day 3). In conclusion, Sapylin accelerated wound closure, and promoted angiogenesis, collagen synthesis and the remodeling process, which improved wound healing. Considering the close relationship between wound healing and seroma formation, Sapylin may reduce seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy.