Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on random pattern skin flap survival in rats¹

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

To investigate the effects of pharmacological delay with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on skin flap survival.

METHODS:

Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were submitted to dorsal skin flap (3x9 cm). Seven days before the surgery, the animals were subdivided into three groups of 10 rats. In group 1 (controls), no injection was done. Seven days before the elevation, saline had been injected to the marked skin flap area in group 2 (sham group), and group 3 (experimental group) underwent a pharmacological delay with subcutaneous IGF-1 injections. On the seventh postoperative day, flap area was analyzed for survival. Tissue samples were obtained for histological and biochemical evaluations.

RESULTS:

Survival rates were 43.55 ± 16%, 21.40 ± 8%, and 43.12 ± 14% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Differences between group 2 and other groups were statistically significant. No significant difference was detected between all three groups for tissue or plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. There was no significant histological difference between groups.

CONCLUSION:

Although a single injection of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) did not significantly increase flap survival, its wound healing features are still encouraging and further meticulously planned studies, especially with repeated applications or controlled-release methods, and combinations with binding protein are required.

Key words:
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Surgical Flaps; Survival; Skin; Rats

Introduction

One of the basic practices in plastic and reconstructive surgery is reparation of tissue defects caused by trauma, tumor, congenital abnormalities, or other incidents. The best functional and aesthetic results are achieved using flaps for this purpose. Flaps are classified as two subgroups according to the vascular supply: random-pattern skin flaps (supplied by subdermal-dermal plexus) and axial-pattern skin flaps (supplied by a direct cutaneous artery and vein located in subcutaneous tissue). Extending flap survival and decreasing amount of flap necrosis has been important subjects in surgical research. Surgical delay is the mostly used method for lessening the flap necrosis. Main disadvantages of delay are multiple interventions and long hospital stay. Many agents have been discussed for a single step delay process¹.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) has growth stimulant effect via increasing the proliferation of many cell types including skeletal muscle, cartilage, bone, liver, kidney, neural, skin, hematopoietic, and lung cells. Circulating IGF-1 increases anabolic effects like protein synthesis, peripheral glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis, neuron survival, myelin synthesis, and bone formation^2-7. In addition, it decreases some catabolic effects such as protein degradation in muscles⁸. In the present study, we aimed to detect experimentally whether the features of IGF-1 have any positive effect on the flap survival.

Methods

Support of institutional Scientific Research Projects Commission and approval of Local Ethical Board on Animal Studies were provided for this experimental study.

Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats ranging 250-300 grams were employed in the research. Standard room conditions were maintained with a temperature of 24°C, 12 hours illuminated - 12 hours dark conditions and equal cage sizes. Two rats resided in each cage that had readily available rat food and tap water.

The experiment took place in three stages: 1- Chemical delay procedure stage: application of saline or IGF-1; 2- Surgical procedure stage: preparation of rat dorsal flap; and 3- Analyses stage: macroscopic analysis to report area measurements (planimetric measurement of flap), histological analysis, and biochemical analysis (tissue and blood sampling).

Randomly selected 10 rats formed three equal sized groups. Group 1 (control group): Flap elevated and sutured to its original donor area without application of any pharmacological agent. Group 2 (sham group): Flap area had been drawn and subcutaneous injections of 0,3 mL saline had been done to standard points before the flap elevation. Seven days after the injection, flap was elevated and sutured to its original position. Group 3 (experimental group): Flap area had been drawn and subcutaneous IGF-1 had been injected to standard points before the flap elevation. A total of 15 micrograms/0,3 ml IGF-1 was administered. Seven days after the injection, flap was elevated and sutured to its original position.

Preparation of IGF-1 and chemical delay

A single IGF-1 bottle contains 1 mg of human IGF-1 in sterilized and lyophilized form. Before usage, IGF-1 was prepared with 1 ml of distillated water. This 1 ml IGF-1 which was prepared for controlled injection and suitable formulation for rat doses was diluted with 19 ml of distillated water. Hereby, 1000 micrograms of IGF-1 in 20 ml of distillated water was prepared. It was administered subcutaneously to the experimental group rats as 15 micrograms/0,3 ml in a calculated dose of 6 micrograms/100 grams. Planned flap was divided in 6 equal pieces, and midpoints of each portion were determined as injection points (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1
Injection points (left) and injection of IGF-1 (right).

Surgical procedure

Anesthesia was accomplished with intramuscular injection of 100 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride and 10mg/kg xylazine hydrochloride to rats. After the subjects had anesthetized, trichotomy of donor areas were performed using an electrical razor. Rats were stabilized to the operation table in prone position. Povidone iodine was used for the cleaning of donor area. A 3x9 cm of McFarlane flap modified by Khouri, containing all skin layers and panniculus carnosus was elevated with caudal base⁹. After the elevation, flap was re-sutured to the donor area by 4/0 prolene suture with a sharp needle (Figure 2).

FIGURE 2
Marking of iliac crests in the rat (upper left), planning of the dorsal McFarlane skin flap (upper right), flap elevation (lower left), and re-suturing of the flap (lower right).

Analyses

Flaps were followed up after the surgery; necrosis was arisen in the distal parts beginning from the second day. Demarcation of necrotic areas ended at postoperative seventh day. Rats were photographed with a digital camera (Sony DSC W 100, Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Tissue and blood samples were collected for histological and biochemical examinations.

Macroscopic analyses were carried out at postoperative seventh day in all groups. At the end of the seventh day, rats were placed to the table in prone position. All flaps were photographed from equal distances. Survived flap areas and whole flaps were measured by ImageJ program (Wayne Rasband, NIH) from the pictures. Survived flap area / whole flap was determined as percentiles (%) (Figure 3). Because of the wound contracture, flap area at the end of the seventh day was smaller than its initial size. Even though flaps were contracted somewhat, percentile evaluation of survived flap area to whole flap ratio provided standardized results.

FIGURE 3
Macroscopic measurement of survived areas on the flap.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured from the cardiac blood and 1 cm² of tissue samples which had taken from flap demarcation line using Elisa method. Tissue samples were washed by cold saline and kept at -20⁰C of temperature. Thereafter, they were homogenized with suitable buffer. VEGF level from the supernatant part was studied by Elisa method after the centrifugation of homogenized buffer.

For the histological examination, collected tissue samples were fixed in 10% phosphate buffered (pH 7.2) formaldehyde solution for 48 hours. Then, they were blocked in paraffin after alcohol and xylene applications. Specimens with 5-6 mm thickness from those blocks were taken to adhesive slides. Slides were stained by avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method. After the deparaffinization and dehydration processes, slides were transferred to phosphate buffered salty solution (PBS, 0.1 M, pH 7.4). To resolve the activity of endogenous peroxidase activity, slides were kept in 3% of H₂O₂ solution for 10 minutes. They were boiled in a 0.01 M and pH=6.0 of citrate buffer in a microwave to expose antigens. Specimens were limited with a hydrophobic pencil. Horse serum was applied for endogenous serum blocking and incubation was performed at 37⁰C for 10 minutes. To identify the vascular endothelium, rabbit anti-CD31 (Pecam-1) antibody with 1/500 dilution was dribbled to the tissues. They were washed after the incubation at 37⁰C for two hours in humidity chamber. Thereafter, ABC kit applications were started. Biotin conjugated with peroxidase was dribbled and incubated at 37⁰C. Slides were washed and treated with the red coloring ABC peroxidase substrate. When the reaction was formed, they were taken to distillated water and the reaction was ended. Specimens were closed by lamella using aqueous glue and examined in light microscope. Vessels stained by CD31 antibody were counted morphometrically in 1 mm² area with x800 magnification (Figure 4).

FIGURE 4
Morphometric counting of CD31 antibody stained vessels in 1 mm² (x800).

Euthanasia procedure

Subcutaneous injection of morphine sulfate (2.5 mg/kg) was used for postoperative analgesia in all subjects. Thereafter, euthanasia was accomplished by cervical dislocation with subsequent intra-cardiac blood collection which was reserved for the biochemical analysis.

Statistical analyses

SPSS 18.0 Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA) software was used for the statistical analyses. Area values among the groups (control, experiment and sham groups) were analyzed by using One-way ANOVA according to the results of Levene test and Shapiro-Wilk test for equality of variances and the normality assumption, respectively (p>0.05). Then, Tukey HSD (honest significant difference) multiple comparison test was applied to determine any further differences among the groups. Data were presented as sample size (n), mean with standard deviation, minimum and maximum values. Significance was evaluated at p < 0.05 for all tests.

Results

Macroscopic analysis

Photographs of groups are presented in Figure 5. Flap survival rates were 43.55 ± 16% in group 1 (control group), 21.40 ± 8% in group 2 (sham group), and 43.12 ± 14% in group 3 (experiment group). No significant difference was detected between group 1 and 3 (p = 0.997). Differences between group 2 and group 3, and group 1 and group 2 were statistically significant (p = 0.001). Table 1 shows the statistical results of survived flap area / whole flap rates between groups as percentiles.

FIGURE 5
Photographs of all three groups at the end of the experiment (upper: group 1, middle: group 2, and lower: group 3).

TABLE 1
Results of survived flap area/whole flap rates between groups demonstrated as percentiles.

	n	Mean	Standard Deviation	Minimum	Maximum	p-value
Control	10	43.55 a	16.30	13.03	74.55	0.001
Sham	10	21.40 b	8.09	10.14	34.59
Experiment	10	43.12 a	14.20	20.79	68.16

• Different letters (a and b) indicates the differences between the same column.

Biochemical analysis

Tissue VEGF levels (pg/mg protein) were found 17.75± 3.57; 18.65 ± 4.84; and 19.72 ± 7.01 in group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No statistically significant difference was detected between groups (p>0.05).

Plasma VEGF levels (pg/ml) of groups were as follows: 6.38 ± 2.09; 8.05 ± 2.42; and 6.23 ± 2.02 in group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. We found no significant difference between groups.

Histological analysis

In Figure 6, selected samples of histological specimens are presented. Number of vessels were 73.10 ± 21.86; 78.40 ± 33.78; and 76.20 ± 39.77 in group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups (p>0.05).

FIGURE 6
Samples for histological specimens of groups (upper: group 1, middle: group 2, and lower: group 3).

Discussion

This experimental study evaluated the effects of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 on Random Pattern Skin Flap Survival in Rats. The injection of IGF-1 seven day before the operation did not significantly increase flap survival compared to controls in macroscopic, biochemical and histological examinations.

Previous studies observed IGF-1 increases re-epitelization by keratinocyte migration, collagen deposition by fibroblast proliferation, and granulation tissue by neovascularization^10-12. Neovascularization is a known mechanism that advances flap survival in the delay process¹³. In the present study, we hypothesized that IGF-1 could pharmacologically provide neovascularization and increase the flap survival. We found no significant difference between experimental and control groups for skin flap survival, tissue and plasma VEGF levels, and vessel count on histological specimens. Saline usage lowered the flap survival. Conversely, IGF-1 usage did not decrease the flap survival.

IGF-I mediates the action of growth hormone in wound healing¹⁴. Previous studies demonstrated that circulating IGF-I has a minimal effect on wound healing and that the local IGF-I produced in wound tissue has more significance¹⁵. In addition, locally applied growth hormone increases the IGF-I mRNA concentration in the granulation tissue in vivo¹⁶. Lee et al.¹⁴ examined whether or not locally applied growth hormone can accelerate wound-healing process, and whether or not it affects wound healing through endocrine or paracrine actions. They concluded that growth hormone can facilitate fibroblast proliferation and keratinocyte migration in vitro and it could be applied topically to accelerate wound healing. On this basis, we injected IGF-1 subcutaneously to increase its local effect on flap survival in the present study.

Kucuk et al.¹⁷, based on effects of growth hormone on wound healing, investigated the effectiveness of infused recombinant human growth hormone on fistula closure and histopathological changes in healing tissue following pharyngocutaneous fistula formation in Sprague-Dawley rats after pharyngoesophagotomy. In their study, while control group received no treatment, experiment group were administered a subcutaneous injection of recombinant human growth hormone daily. They showed that it was effective for fistula closure by increasing collagen formation and epithelisation in a rat model. Similar to ours, the authors used a subcutaneous route of growth hormone application. However, they made the microscopical and macroscopical examinations on 14th day of the experiment. Limited time window in our study (seven days) might have yielded the insignificant results although the similarity of other methods with the above cited study.

Gu et al.¹⁸ established subcutaneous injection of recombinant human growth hormone in their study with eight patients with enterocutaneous fistula. After 7 days, they showed that recombinant human growth hormone enhanced intestinal mucosal epithelial proliferation, protein synthesis and collagen formation in the immunohistochemical evaluation of endoscopic biopsies. Although the authors established a short period of observation like ours, they reported significant changes. That difference may be due to the the methodological difference, they used image analysis and immunohistochemical techniques to analyze the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in intestinal mucosal epithelial cells in biopsy samples. Also, they measured body weights, nitrogen excretion, serum levels of total proteins, albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and fibronectin.

In the study of Lee et al.¹⁴, fibroblast proliferation decreased above a specific concentration of growth hormone. They suggested that the effect of growth hormone on wound healing is dose dependent. Also, Li et al.¹⁹ demonstrated the dose dependency of growth hormone on fibroblasts. Failure of our study to demonstrate any positive effect of IGF-1 on flap survival may be resulted from the dose dependency of growth hormone effect. Apparently, further study on this issue is required.

Zhao et al.²⁰ reported the effects on wound healing of IGF-I with and without insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in a rabbit ear dermal ulcer model under both nonischemic and ischemic conditions. They used IGF-I in varying single doses (1 to 43 micrograms) and in combination with varying molar ratios of the binding protein. The authors analyzed the wounds histomorphometrically on day 7 after wounding. They found that IGF-I or binding protein alone at varying doses did not have any effects on wound healing parameters. However, combination of IGF-I with the binding protein showed an increase of new granulation tissue in the nonischemic model with low doses, and in ischemic wounds with high doses. They concluded that insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 modulates the effects of IGF-I in promoting wound healing in vivo and that the combination is a highly effective vulnerary compound with effects comparable in magnitude with other growth factors previously tested in this model. As Zhao et al.²⁰, we administered IGF-1 in a single subcutaneous dose one week before the elevation of skin flap. In our study, lack of the combination of IGF-1 with insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 seems to prohibit the any expected positive effect. Besides, not using controlled-release or gene transfer in the administration of IGF-1, which has a short half-life, might prevented any possible increase of flap survival in our study. Expensiveness and limited application facilities of gene transfer methods restrict its widespread use as a treatment in many countries including ours.

Transactions to be conducted to inflammation for pharmacological delay are built on a delicate balance. A surgical trauma in acutely elevated or delayed flaps creates an inflammatory response. This increases growth factors in the medium, which raise local blood flow and flap survival. Preoperative use of agents may raise inflammatory response for a successful pharmacological delay; thus, a delay-like effect and increased flap survival can be achieved. Anti-inflammatory agents that were used in the postoperative period (after flap elevation) eliminate the prolonged inflammation.

Diminishing edema can increase flap survival. Kurtz et al.²¹ showed IGF-1 had an anti- inflammatory effect other than neutrophil migration and accelerated the healing duration. We used IGF-1 subcutaneously one week before the surgery. Therefore, anti- inflammatory effect of IGF-1 was formed before flap elevation. This premature anti-inflammatory effect might have decreased the desired inflammation and abolished the expected positive results.

Conclusion

Although a single injection of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) did not significantly increase flap survival, its wound healing features are still encouraging and further meticulously planned studies, especially with repeated applications or controlled-release methods, and combinations with binding protein are required.

References

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• Financial source: Scientific Research Council, Afyon Kocatepe University (grant number 08.TIP.27)
• 1
  Research performed at Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Afyon Kocatepe University, Turkey.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Aug 2016

History

• Received
  03 Apr 2016
• Reviewed
  08 June 2016
• Accepted
  11 July 2016