CONTENT OF GROWTH FACTORS AND HYPOXIA-INDUCIBLE FACTOR IN THE SKIN OF RATS OF DIFFERENT AGE AFTER WOUND HEALING

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the content of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF- 1α) in the skin of 40 female rats of different ages (3 and 12 mo) after closure of the wound bed. In each age group composed of 20 rats, 10 rats served as a control group, and in remaining rats a facelift operation was performed and cut wounds on the anterior abdominal wall (5 cm × 0.5 cm) were simulated. The duration of wound surface healing in rats of different age groups was recorded. On the day of complete healing, the animals were killed, and the skin was cut in the areas of the former wound bed. In control rats, the skin was excised in the same places. The content of VEGF, NGF and HIF-1α was determined in the skin by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that in the group of young (3-month-old) rats, complete healing of the wound surface after facelift surgery occurred after 14.0 ± 1.0 days, and on the anterior abdominal wall - after 13.0 ± 1.0 days. In 12-month-old rats, the duration of wound surface healing after facelift surgery and incised wound on the anterior abdominal wall increased to 17.0 ± 1.5 days. In the former wound bed, the content of HIF-1α in young rats increased by 60.7%, and in 12-month-old rats - by 231.6%. In the former wound bed, the content of VEGF and NGF in young rats increased by 14.8 and 11.7%, respectively, and in 12-month-old rats - by 182.4 and 152.6%, respectively. It was concluded that more pronounced hypoxia in the skin after surgery in 12-month-old rats may be the cause of postoperative complications.