Evaluation of cytokines in donor site wound fluids

The aim of the study was to measure concentrations of cytokines in wound fluid from donor sites. A film dressing was applied to the donor sites (mean size 10 x 15 cm) immediately after a split skin graft had been taken. Five days later the film was punctured with a needle and 2-3 ml of the fluid accumulated under the film dressing was withdrawn into a syringe. The fluid was snap frozen and stored immediately at -70 degrees C. The fluid was examined for epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha, TGF beta, interleukin (IL)-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. The results showed that the fluid accumulated under the film dressing contained growth factors and cytokines that are thought to promote healing. The fluid was rich in TGF alpha but contained no EGF or bFGF, which indicates that TGF alpha plays a major part for promoting local wound healing.