Epidermal Growth-Factor In Cutaneous Repair Processes

Donor areas on patients undergoing plastic surgery were treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) to stimulate tissue regeneration. Morphometric analyses showed that cutaneous explants, treated with EGF, presented a higher number of microvessels (p < 0.01) and mesenchymal cells (p < 0.01), than untreated areas, while EGF did not improve epidermal thickening. By electron microscopy, better histoarchitectural maturation of cellular and extracellular dermal compartments was observed after EGF application. This work provides evidence that EGF does stimulate skin repair by promoting the formation of mature cutaneous tissue.