ABSTRACT
The wound healing effect of topical application of the recombinant human epidermal growth factor(rhEGF) on full-thickness dermal injury was investigated. Two full-thickness excisions were made on the back of the experimental animals. The rhEGF was applied twice a day and the rate of wound closure was measured every day for 14 days. On the seventh postoperative day, the histological findings of epithelization and granulation were examined by Massons tichrome stain, and immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and alpha-smooth muscle actin(alpha-SMA). The wound size was a significant reduction in the rhEGF treated groups as compared with the control group (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the wound size among the concentrations of the rhEGF treated group. Histological examination revealed that epithelization and granulation was increased significantly in the rhEGF group compared to control group (p < 0.01, 0.05). PCNA and alpha-SMA immunoreactive cells were observed at the margin of wound and the rhEGF treatments significantly increased the number of PCNA and alpha-SMA immunoreactive cells as compared to those of control group (p < 0.01, 0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest that rhEGF enhance the epithelial wound healing by the stimulate of cell proliferation. The wound contraction might be also affected by rhEGF application.