Experiment on autologous free granular fat transplantation with rhVEGF gene in rats / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of rhVEGF on autologous free granular fat grafts in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, sixteen of each. After the autologous free granular fat transplantation, all groups were treated with the plasmid DNA containing cDNA encoding rhVEGF, the blank plasmid DNA and normal saline respectively as the experimental group, the negative group and the saline group. After 3, 7, 15, 30 days, the rats were sacrificed and the grafts were weighted accurately. Histological pathology was evaluated. Micro-vessel count and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined by immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The weights of the two latter groups were significantly reduced on the 7, 15, 30 day compared with the experimental group. The expression of VEGF and the micro-vessel count in the experimental group were significantly higher than the other two groups during the latter periods.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cDNA encoding VEGF can induce the expression of VEGF in fat graft, angiogenesis and reduce the free fat graft absorption.</p>

The expression and interaction of cyclin D1 and p16 in fibroblasts of pathologic scars / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of cyclin D1, p16, AR and ER in fibroblasts of scars for further understanding the interaction of these factors and the roles that they play in scar development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty samples of mature scar, hypertrophic scar and keloid were detected with immunohistochemical method (SP technique) and compared with normal skin.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were on positive results in normal skin and mature scars. The expression of cyclin D1, p16 and AR was higher in hypertrophic scars and keloids than in normal skin with significant difference (P < 0.05). The expression of cyclin D1 in keloids was higher than in hypertrophic scars (P < 0.05). Though the expression of p16 was higher in keloids than in hypertrophic scars, the difference was not significant. There was significant correlation between the expression of cyclin D1 and AR in the pathologic scar.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The AR played an important role in scar formation and displayed its function through cyclin D1. The expression of p16 could suppress the excessive proliferation of cells to some extent. If the effect was not enough to resist the function of cyclin D1, long-term proliferation of cells would occur and lead to keloid formation. As the expression of cyclin D1 and p16 in hypertrophic scars was in a state of relative equilibrium, the cell proliferation showed a tendency of self-restriction.</p>

Immunological effects of polyacrylamide hydrogel injection in human body / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the immunologic changes in patients who have complications after polyacrylamide hydrogel (HPG) injection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To compare the patients in the HPG injection group and the control group, the expressions of immunoglobulin IgG, IgM, IgA and complement C3, C4 of serum were measured by immunoturbidimetry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of IgG and C3 in the injection group were lower than the control group with extremely significant difference (P < 0.01). The expressions of IgM were higher than the control group with significant difference (P < 0.05). The expression of IgA and C4 had no significant differences between the two groups. The immunologic changes had no relation to the injection doses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Clinical application of HPG as a soft tissue filling material may cause foreign-body rejection reaction. The long-term immunologic effect of HPG needs further observation in more cases.</p>

An experimental study on the survival of the anterior abdominal skin flap after VEGF cDNA administration / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate flap survival after transfection using gene encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In 30 Sprague-Dawley rats, the anterior abdominal skin flap supplied by the epigastric vessels was created. The animals were divided into three groups, with ten of each. The first group was treated with a mixture of liposomes and the cDNA encoding the 165-amino acid isoform of VEGF; the second group was treated with control blank plasmid DNA and liposome transfection medium; the third group was treated with physiological saline. Four days after injection, the epigastric artery and vein were ligated and the blood flow in the flap was evaluated by intraperitoneal injection of fluorescence solution. Seven days later, the survival area of the flap was measured by planimetry. After the animals were killed, specimens were harvested from the anterior abdomen skin flap for immunohistological evidence of VEGF expression and for hematoxylin and eosin staining of microvascular growth.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>30 minutes after pedicle ligation the average fluorescence staining planimetry of the three groups (PCD-VEGF165, PCD and physiological saline) was 60.64%, 30.15% and 29.89% respectively. Tissue survival planimetry of the three groups was 92.3%, 30.5%, 31.8%. There was significant difference between the first group and the latter two (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining documented increased deposition of VEGF cDNA in the first group compared to the control groups (P < 0.05). Normal staining documented that the average vessel number of the three groups was 101.72, 91.35 and 89.85 (P < 0.05), the average vessel lumen diameter was 26 microns, 31.09 microns and 32.51 microns(P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Through administration, PCD-VEGF165 can transfect the anterior abdominal skin flap and enhance its survival. There was express of VEGF protein in the treated flap.</p>