Objective To prepare nerve growth factor (NGF)-insulin composite gel and observe the effects of NGF-insulin composite gel on deep second degree scald wound healing in diabetic rats. Methods Carbomer 980, NGF (4 000 U), and insulin (800 U) were used to prepare the insulin gel, NGF gel, and NGF-insulin composite gel. The character of NGF-insulin composite gel was observed, and the in vitro drug release was tested. Seventy-five SPF Wistar male rats, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 5 groups randomly, 15 rats each group: normal control group (group A), diabetes control group (group B), insulin gel treatment group (group C), NGF gel treatment group (group D), and NGF-insulin composite gel treatment group (group E). The type 1 diabetes rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) in groups B, C, D, and E, while the rats in group A were injected with the same dose of citric acid and calcium citrate buffer. After modeling success, deep second degree scald wound on the back was made with constant temperature water bath box. Wounds were treated with carbomer blank gel in groups A and B, with insulin composite gel in group C, with NGF gel in group D, and with NGF-insulin composite gel in group E, once a day. At 3, 7, 11, 15, and 21 days after injury, the scald wound healing was observed and healing rate was calculated; the full-thickness skin specimens were harvested from 3 rats of each group for histological and immuohistochemical staining observation. Results The NGF-insulin composite gel was clear and transparent, and had good moisture retention capacity and adhesion; it was easy to apply and clean up. The drug release in vitro lasted more than 24 hours and maintained for 30 days. No rat died during the experiment. At 3 days after injury, wound area did not reduce in all groups; at 7, 11, 15, and 21 days, group E had the highest wound healing rate, and group B had the lowest; significant differences were found between group E and group B and when compared with the other groups (P lt; 0.05). HE staining showed that group E surpassed other groups in the growth of granulation tissue and collagen fiber. Immunohistochemical results showed that the CD34 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressed at 3 days, and the number of positive cells increased gradually with time; the microvessel density and PCNA expression were highest in group E and were lowest in group B, showing significant differences when compared with the other groups and between group E and group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion NGF-insulin composite gel can improve deep second degree scald wound healing in diabetic rats.
Objective To explore the possible mechanism of nerve growth factor (NGF) mixed insul in on the angiogenesis of burn wounds and the effect on the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in diabetic rats. Methods A total of 75 SPF male Wistar rats, weighing 200-220 g, were selected randomly and divided into nomal control (group A, n=15), the rats with diabetic control (group B, n=15), insul in treatment (group C, n=15), NGF treatment (group D, n=15), NGF and insul in treatment (group E, n=15) groups. In groups B, C, D, and E, streptozotocin was given by intraperitoneal injection at dose of 10 mg/kg on the 1st day and 50 mg/kg on the 3rd day to prepare the diabetic rat models. In group A, citric acid buffer at the samedose was given. After 1 month of diabetic models, second degree scald was made on the back of the rats, and then wounds were treated with 3-layer normal sal ine gauze in groups A and B, with 3-layer gauze containing 5 U Novol in 30R and subcutaneous injection of Novol in 30R (4-6 U/kg) everyday in group C, with 3-layer gauze containing 5 mL NGF (25 U/mL) in group D, and with a combination of groups C and D in group E. At 7, 11, 15, and 21 days, the wound heal ing rate was calculated; at 3, 7, 11, 15, and 21 days, the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and CD34 were determined and the microvascular density was measured by immunohistochemistry staining. Results All rats survived till experiment was finished. The area of wounds became smaller gradually with time. Group E was better than other groups in the wound heal ing rate (P lt; 0.05), the skin keratosis, the hair growth, and the granulation tissue and collagen fibers growth. With time, the expressions of CD34 and Bcl-2 increased gradually, reached the peak at 15 days and decreased at 21 days; the expression was ber in group E than in other groups (P lt; 0.05). At 3 days, Bax did not express; at 7 days, Bax began to express in new vascular endothel ial cells and the expression increased gradually with time; the expression was weaker in group E than in other groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion A combination of NGF and insul in local appl ication can enhance the angiogenesis of the burn wound in diabetic rats and accelerate wound heal ing by increasing the expression of Bcl-2 and decreasing the expression of Bax and restraining apoptosis of the wounds vascular endothel ial cells of diabetic rats.