RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Skin grafting is a commonly performed procedure, but studies of changes in the levels of cytokines after skin grafting have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: We examined changes in cytokines and the degree of erythema after skin grafting in pigs in the control group. Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) was injected to reduce erythema, and subsequent changes in cytokines and the degree of erythema were examined in the experimental group. METHODS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), and CD31 were examined using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The degree of erythema was measured at 2, 4, and 8 weeks using a chromometer. RESULTS: In the control group, VEGF increased at 2 weeks and decreased at 4 and 8 weeks. TSP1 increased over time. CD31 increased to 4 weeks and decreased at 8 weeks. In the experimental group, VEGF was lower at 2 weeks and higher at 8 weeks than in the control group, TSP1 was higher at 2 weeks and lower at 8 weeks, and CD31 was lower at 4 and 8 weeks. Erythema in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group at 2 and 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: IFN-alpha may be one of the agents that reduces erythema by suppressing excessive revascularization.
