Normal and ischaemic incisional
wounds in rats were treated with
recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) in
fibrin adhesive vehicle. After 10 days of healing the maximum load*S and stress*S (S denotes correction for shrinkage) of ischaemic
wounds were increased by 45% and 39%, respectively,
after treatment with 20 micrograms rbFGF and by 67% and 56%
after treatment with 60 micrograms rbFGF. After 20 days only 20 micrograms rbFGF had any effect and increased maximum load*S by 31% and energy at maximum (load*S, stress*S) by 40%-48%. In normal
wounds 0.6-20 micrograms and 60 micrograms rbFGF decreased the strength parameters by 19%-34% and 49%-52%, respectively, after 10 days. After 20 days there was no negative influence but 60 micrograms rbFGF increased the biomechanical properties by 15%-24%. Treatment with the
fibrin adhesive vehicle alone decreased the biomechanical properties of ischaemic
wounds after 20 days, and of normal
wounds after both 10 and 20 days. In conclusion, rbFGF can improve the healing of ischaemic
wounds and may be used in the treatment of ischaemic
wounds in patients, but it can have negative effects on normal wound healing.