[Experimental study of hyaluronic acid on the biomechanical compliance of porcine acellular dermal transplantation].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect on biomechanical compliance after an addition of hyaluronic acid (HA) in transplantation of porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM) with skin autograft.

METHODS

Ten Japanese white rabbits were used as experimental animal, the dorsa of rabbits was symmetrically divided into four area, and then grouping was randomized. Full-thickness skin defects were created in Group A to Group C, and Group D was blank group with normal skin. The following procedures were performed: Group A: implanted with HA+PADM+ thin skin autografts, GroupB: implanted with PADM+ thin skin autografts and Group C: skin autografts, except for Group D. The wound tissue specimens were harvested at 70 days postoperatively, and they were recorded contracture rates of the grafts and the biomechanical compliance by Instron biomechanics tensiometer. The expression of collagens I and III in dermal fibroblasts of each group was determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

On postoperation day 70, the grafts contracture rates in Group A to Group C were 10.2% ± 0.6%, 36.6% ± 0.8%, 32.7% ± 1.4% respectively, there were notable significant difference among three groups (P = 0.000). Under the same tension, there was no significant difference in strain between Groups A and D ((83 ± 8) vs (81 ± 5) kPa, P = 0.552). Some significant difference in strain existed between Groups B and D ((215 ± 9) vs (81 ± 5) kPa, P = 0.000). The strain of Group C ((106 ± 7) kPa) was between Groups B and D, and significant strain difference existed among them (P = 0.000). The expressions of collagens I and III in Group A were higher than those in Group B, while the ratio of collagens I to III in Group A was lower than that in Group B.

CONCLUSION

Topical HA may be used to increase the expressions of type I and III collagen, decrease the ratio of collagen type I/III, and enhance the biomechanics performances of transplanted skin.