Document Detail


High-dose ultraviolet light exposure reduces scar hypertrophy in a rabbit ear model.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18349633     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: The effects of ultraviolet light exposure on scar pigmentation are well documented. There is a commonly held belief among physicians that sun exposure may also worsen the appearance of fresh scars and result in excess collagen deposition. However, few studies have documented a relationship between ultraviolet light exposure and hypertrophic scarring. This study sought to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet light exposure on scar hypertrophy in an established rabbit model of cutaneous scarring.
METHODS: Four 7-mm ulcers were created on the ventral ears of eight rabbits. Starting on postoperative day 15, half of the wounds were exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation daily for either 7 or 14 days. Ultraviolet-B-exposed (n = 16) and control (n = 16) scars were harvested on postoperative day 32 for histologic and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis.
RESULTS: Exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation for 7 or 14 days was associated with a 52 percent (p < 0.01) or 74 percent (p < 0.05) reduction in scar volume, respectively, compared with controls. In wounds subjected to ultraviolet-B radiation for 14 days, collagen type I-alpha2 mRNA expression was 29 percent lower than in controls (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-beta1.
CONCLUSION: : These short-term observations demonstrate that ultraviolet-B radiation exposure reduces scar hypertrophy in this clinically relevant animal model. A reduction in collagen production or increase in collagen breakdown may account for this result. However, sunscreen should still be used as primary protection when skin is exposed to direct sunlight.
Authors:
Richard J Brown; Michael J Lee; Mark Sisco; John Y S Kim; Nakshatra Roy; Thomas A Mustoe
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Plastic and reconstructive surgery     Volume:  121     ISSN:  1529-4242     ISO Abbreviation:  Plast. Reconstr. Surg.     Publication Date:  2008 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-03-19     Completed Date:  2008-04-29     Revised Date:  2011-02-16    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  1306050     Medline TA:  Plast Reconstr Surg     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1165-72     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Wound Healing Research Laboratory, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill. 60611, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / prevention & control*
Disease Models, Animal
Ear
Rabbits
Ultraviolet Therapy / methods*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
5 R01 GM063825-03/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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