Topical Application of a Silicone Gel Sheet with Verapamil Microparticles in a Rabbit Model of Hypertrophic Scar.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The authors developed a novel treatment based on the topical application of a silicone gel sheet containing verapamil microparticles. The ability of these silicone gel sheets to inhibit hypertrophic scar in a rabbit ear wound model was examined.

METHODS:

Ten New Zealand White rabbits with a total of 80 wounds in both ears were used in this study. The rabbits were divided into five groups (control; silicone gel sheet; and silicone gel sheet plus 0.25, 2.5, and 25 mg of verapamil per gram). Histopathologic findings were quantified.

RESULTS:

The mean scar elevation index, fibroblast counts, and capillary counts differed significantly among the five groups (p < 0.05). The median scar elevation index was significantly lower in the silicone gel sheet plus 2.5 mg of verapamil per gram group than in the silicone gel sheet group (1.2 versus 2.2). The median number of fibroblasts was significantly lower in the silicone gel sheet plus 0.25 mg of verapamil per gram group than in the silicone gel sheet group (172.5 versus 243). In the median number of capillary lumina, there was no significant difference between the silicone gel sheet group and the silicone gel sheet plus 0.25, 2.5, and 25 mg of verapamil per gram groups (28.5, 18, 20, and 18, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

Topical application of a silicone gel sheet with verapamil microparticles may be a novel, effective treatment method for hypertrophic scar, but its safety and efficacy in humans must be tested in clinical trials.

• Authors: Eun Young Rha, Yun Ho Kim, Tae-Jung Kim, Gyeol Yoo, Jong Won Rhie, Hyun-Jung Kim, Il-Kyu Park
• Journal: Plastic and reconstructive surgery (Plast Reconstr Surg) Vol. 137 Issue 1 Pg. 144-151 (Jan 2016) ISSN: 1529-4242 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26710018 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Silicone Gels
• Verapamil

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Animals
• Cell-Derived Microparticles
• Cicatrix, Hypertrophic (drug therapy, pathology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Ear (injuries)
• Female
• Immunohistochemistry
• Rabbits
• Random Allocation
• Silicone Gels (administration & dosage)
• Treatment Outcome
• Verapamil (administration & dosage)
• Wound Healing (drug effects, physiology)
• Wounds and Injuries (drug therapy, pathology)