Objective: To explore the effects of endogenous growth factors on the formation of scars and ulcers after trauma or burn.
Methods: The amounts of endogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF), tumor necrosis factor(TNF) and nitric oxide (NO) in scar and the developing granulation tissues after trauma or burn were determined and their relation with the wound healing were studied.
Results: The results showed that EGF, TNF and NO could be found in all scars and the granulation tissues, but their concentration varied with different tissues, sex and age of patients. In male patients or youngsters, the amounts of EGF, TNF and NO in scars were much greater than those in granulation tissues.
Conclusions: The results indicated that the growth factors are necessary for wound healing, but insufficiency or overproduction of the endogenous growth factors may lead to the development of chronic ulcers or scar formation after trauma or burn.