[The study of epidermal growth factor in acceleration of skin wound healing]

In order to investigate the function of epidermal growth factor (EGF), the following experiments were performed. Thirty white rats were chosen and divided into 3 groups. In the back of each rat, two 2 cm x 2 cm wounds were made bilaterally, the skin and subcutaneous tissue was removed. EGF were used in one of the two wounds randomly, while those without EGF usage in control. After 1, 2 and 3 weeks, the rats were sacrificed. The area of the wounds was measured, and the healing time of each wound was recorded. The results showed that the healing time of EGF group was 14.6 days while that of control group was 18.5 days (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the DNA, protein and hydroxyproline contents of EGF group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01). It was suggested the EGF could accelerate wound healing and shorten the healing time.