The Effect of Epidermal Growth Factor in Wound Healing

Park, Chul Jong; Kim, Jo Yong; Yi, Jong Yuk; Kim, Tae Yoon; Kim, Chung Won; Kim, Dong Jae

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) , a potent stimulant of epithelialization, has been noted to increase the tickness of the epidermis, increase the epithelial cell proliferartion and keratinization, and accelerate wound contraction.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of topical application of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in the healing of full-thickness excision and burn wound.
METHODS
Full-thickness excision and burn wound were made on the back of the male Wistar rat. Recombinant human epidermal growth factor was applied twice a day and the size of the wound was measured with planimetry every other day for 21 days. The keratinocytes of the circumcised foreskin were cultured in different concentrations of recombinant human epidermal growth factor and proliferation of the keratinocytes was evaluated.
RESULTS
1. Regardless of wound types or base types, wound healing in the experimental groups (rhEGF 10, 30, 50g/g) was generally better than that in the control or vehicle group. 2. The duration of wound healing was decreased as follows in order; in full-thickness excision wound, rhEGF 50 g/g group, rhEGF 30 g/g group, rhEGF 10 g/g group, vehicle group, and control group and in full-thickness burn wound, rhEGF 30 g/g group, rhEGF 50g/g group, rhEGF 10g/g group, vehicle group, and control group. 3. In the biopsy specimen taken from the wound at 9th and 13th day, neodermis, neovascularization, the thickness and maturation of the collagen bundles, and reepithelithelialization were more increased in the experimental groups than in the control or vehicle group. 4. In vitro culture of epidermal cells showed similar proliferation in the concentration of rhEGF higher than 10 ng/ml.
CONCLUSION
these findings suggest that topical application of recombinant human epidermal growth factor in the healing of full-thickness excision and urn wound.