Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor combined with a collagen membrane on soft tissue defects vasculariza⁃ tion in the hard palates of rats

Objective To study the vascularization of the collagen ⁃binding basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) ⁃ loaded collagen membranes in soft tissue repair in the hard palates of rats. Methods Ninety⁃six male 6⁃week⁃old Wi⁃ star rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, and 3⁃mm⁃diameter circular soft tissue defects were produced from the distal surface of the third molar to the mesial surface of the first molar in their hard palates. The defects were covered with a collagen⁃targeting bFGF/collagen membrane, a free bFGF/collagen membrane, a collagen membrane or no mem⁃ brane (control group). Every 6th rat was randomly sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks in every group after surgery. Wound healing and the number of new blood vessels were measured by hematoxylin⁃eosin (HE) staining. Results The num⁃ bers of new blood vessels in the collagen⁃targeting bFGF/collagen membrane group were 8.94 ± 0.61, 17.39 ± 2.08 and 11.22 ± 1.66 at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after surgery, respectively, which were significantly greater than the values in the oth⁃ er groups (P 0.05). Conclusion Collagen⁃targeting bFGF/collagen membranes had a favorable effect on promoting an⁃ giogenesis during wound healing, and promoted wound healing.