Abstract
A recent study reported that Botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) could inhibit the growth of hypertrophic scars and improve their appearance. However, the mechanism of BTXA’s action on hypertrophic scars is still unknown. Some in vitro studies had shown BTXA could alleviate hypertrophic scars by acting on the biological behavior of fibroblasts, but there are few in vivo experiments, especially animal model experiments, supporting these findings. The aim of the study reported herein was to investigate the effect of BTXA on collagen deposition on hypertrophic scars in a rabbit ear model and partially clarify the mechanism of BTXA on the hypertrophy of scars. The rabbit hypertrophic scar model was used and eight rabbits were employed. BTXA was injected into the hypertrophic scar tissue of one ear; and the other ear in the same rabbit was the control without BTXA injection. The scar thickness and deposition of collagen was examined through immune histochemistry including haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome staining. The thicknesses of hypertrophic scars in the BTXA treatment group were obviously lower than in the control groups (P < 0.01). H&E and Masson staining showed that collagen fibers were stained blue. Compared with the treatment group, the collagen fibers were thicker and the arrangement of collagen fibers were disordered in the control group. This study used the rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scars to assess the effects of BTXA on scar hypertrophy. The application of BTXA may be useful for inhibiting hypertrophic scars.
Highlights
Hypertrophic scars, which are cosmetically and functionally unappealing, are characterized by excessive fibrosis and extra cellular matrix (ECM) deposition
haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining showed that collagen fibers were stained blue
The authors had already carried out some experimental research and found that Botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) could influence the cell cycle of fibroblasts derived from hypertrophic scars, inhibiting the proliferation and promoting apoptosis of fibroblasts [4,5,6]
Summary
Hypertrophic scars, which are cosmetically and functionally unappealing, are characterized by excessive fibrosis and extra cellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Some scholars found that BTXA could inhibit the growth of hypertrophic scars and improve the appearance of hypertrophic scars in clinical experiments [2]. These clinical observations were reported several years ago [3]. BTXA could induce temporary apoptosis of nasal glandular cells These articles led the authors to consider the relationship between BTXA and cellular dynamics of fibroblasts derived from hypertrophic scars. The authors had already carried out some experimental research and found that BTXA could influence the cell cycle of fibroblasts derived from hypertrophic scars, inhibiting the proliferation and promoting apoptosis of fibroblasts [4,5,6]. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BTXA on collagen deposition of hypertrophic scars in the rabbit ear model
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