ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in deep second-degree scald wounds,with an attempt to further explore the role of VEGF in burn wound healing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 36 adult Wistar rats were randomized into two groups: the scald group(30 rats)and the control group(6 rats). In the scald group,rat models of deep second-degree scald wounds were established. Full-thickness tissues of the wounds were collected respectively 1,3,7,14,and 21 days after the modeling. The expressions of the VEGF mRNA and protein were detected with real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot,respectively. In the control group,the same procedures were performed but without modeling.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group,the expressions of VEGF mRNA and proteins were significantly higher in the scald group(P<0.05). The expression levels reached the peak on day 1,gradually decreased on day 3,reached the lowest points on day 14,but increased again on day 21.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>VEGF is involved in the healing of scald burns. The expression of VEGF during the wound healing is closely correlated with the wound angiogenesis.</p>