Comparison of EGF and FGF2 Serum Levels with Epithelization and Fibroblast Histopathology on the Acceleration of Deep Dermal Burn Injury Healing using the Combination of PRP and SVF in Wistar Rats.

Abstract

Burn injuries cause a considerable number of fatalities in Indonesia annually. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in combination with stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is a stem cell-related treatment modality for deep dermal burn wound healing that utilizes growth factors such as the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum EGF and FGF2 levels and their impact on re-epithelialization and fibroblast histopathology during deep dermal burn wound healing using PRP and SVF. Wistar rats (n=64) were categorized into the following groups: PRP+SVF injection (Group A), topical PRP+SVF application (Group B), topical Vaseline application (Group C), or control (Group D). Treatments were evaluated on days 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14 post-treatment for the treatment groups and day 0 for the control group. The software SPSS 22 was used for the statistical analysis, along with the Shapiro-Wilk, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, one-way ANOVA, and Kendall's Tau-B tests. The results showed that Group A exhibited the highest FGF2 and EGF levels (6.62 and 8.10 ng/ml, respectively), closely followed by Group B (6.40 and 7.09 ng/ml, respectively). Group C had lower FGF2 levels than Group D and similar EGF levels. The PRP+SVF injection group displayed faster re-epithelialization and fibroblast proliferation. The PRP+SVF injections outperformed the topical application and Vaseline, with greater re-epithelialization and higher EGF levels. Although the injections showed comparable healing to the topical application, Vaseline produced proliferation differences during deep dermal burn wound recovery.