Wound healing effect of autologous fibrin glue and polyglycolic acid sheets in a rat back skin defect model

Abstract

Fibrin glue from autologous plasma may prevent viral infection and allergic reaction. Moreover, this biomaterial contains growth factors such as TGF-β and VEGF that promote reconstruction of the mucous membrane by stimulating fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis. Thus, autologous fibrin glue is predicted to improve healing better than commercial fibrin glue. Here, we evaluated the effects of autologous fibrin glue on the crucial early phase of wound healing. Epithelial defects were introduced in rats and covered with polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets with or without commercial or autologous fibrin glue. Wound healing was assessed for six weeks by histology and immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrate that wounds covered with PGA sheets and autologous fibrin glue achieved efficient wound healing without complications such as local infection or incomplete healing. The rate of recovery of the regenerating epithelium in this group was superior to that in wounds covered with PGA sheets and commercial fibrin glue. Immunohistochemistry of laminin, cytokeratin, and VEGF confirmed fine and rapid epithelial neogenesis. Collectively, our results indicate that covering surgical wounds with autologous fibrin glue promotes wound healing and epithelialization, improves safety, and reduces the risks of viral infection and allergic reaction associated with conventional techniques.