| Objective: To investigate the effect of adenovirus-mediated gene therapy with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)and basic fibroblastgrowth factor (bFGF) delivered into the subdermal space to treat compromised skin flaps in the rat. Methods:Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 350-400g were used in this study.The rats was randomized into five groups of ten rats each .A dorsal flap (8cm X 2cm) in full thickness with the pedicle located at the leve of the iliac crest was designed. Viral transfection with 108 plaque-forming units was performed 2 days before the dorsal flap elevation. Rats received subdermal injection of adenovirus encoding VEGF(Ad-VEGF)&bFGF(Ad-bFGF.) or Ad-VEGF or Ad-bFGF or green fluorescent protein(Ad-GFP) as treatment control. Another set of animals (n =10) received PBS and were designated as control..Two days after treatment, the flap were elevated as originall designated and sutured back to its bed. The survival rate of the flap was evaluated on day seven after operation. Results The survival rate of the flap in Ad-VEGF &Ad-bFGFgroup increased significantly as compared with those of the Ad-VEGF or Ad-bFGF respectively .No dingnificant difference ware found between Ad-VEGFaned Ad-bFGF. Compared with the control, Ad-GFP group and the PBS group,however,was significant statistical difference.(p < 0.01).Immunohistochemical staining showed that VEGF and bFGF was expressed in the survival flap injected with Ad-VEGF and Ad-bFGF.Histological analysis showed that more granulation tissues and angiogenesi were observed in the Ad-VEGF & Ad-bFGF group than control group, and than those of Ad-GFP group and the PBS group.Conclusions: There are obviously synergistic effect of these two growth factors. Local application adenovirus-mediated VEGF and bFGF may efficiently improve the survival of ischemicskin flap... |
