Stimulation of wound healing, using brain extract with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) activity. I. Quantitative and biochemical studies into formation of granulation tissue.

In rats with polyvinyl rings implanted under the dorsal skin, the formation of granulation tissue was found to be stimulated by application of brain extract with fibroblast growth factor (FGF) S3 activity which had been obtained from cattle. This stimulating effect on wound healing proved to depend on doses and was detectable in rats aged two and six months on the third and seventh postoperative days. The desired action could be induced only by repetitive administration of FGF S3 or by coupling of the latter to SYSpur-derm, a synthetic dermatoplastic material. More fractions with potential action upon formation of granulation tissue proved to be obtainable from further biochemical separation of FGF S3. One of such fractions was successfully concentrated to a potentiality by which one tenth of the normal dose yielded the same effect as the full dose. Hexosamine and hydroxyproline levels were measured, at the same time, and found to stimulate fibroblasts. The findings are discussed.