Can heterologous collagen enhance the granulation tissue growth? An experimental study

A purified and lyophilized sponge of native bovine tendon collagen (Gelfix) was used to plug gastric, jejunal and colonic surgical holes (phi = 6 mm) on 78 white rats. In a control group (18 rats) colonic holes were plugged with autologous epiploon. The mortality rate due to generalized peritonitis, was higher (Fischer test = 4%) in the control group than in animals treated with the heterologous collagen. The healing process was evaluated by light microscopy at sequential intervals ranging from 4 to 120 days after implantation. The heterologous collagen biological activity was evaluated as follows: 1. The sponge was labelled with Tyrosine 125I or mixed with Collagen Methyl 14C methylated. Then the radioactivity of the isolated granulation tissue cells was evaluated. The electrophoresis of these lysed cells, as well as histoautoradiography were performed. 2. Indirect immunofluorescence studies employing rabbit antibodies against fibronectin were also carried out. The heterologous collagen seemed to act as a mechanical support and as a stimulus to chemotactic migration of fibroblasts. It also appeared to participate as a nutrient substitute in the metabolic activity of the granulation tissue. Finally, heterologous collagen fibers were found to be massively bound by fibronectin.