Recombinant human fibroblast growth factor-2 promotes surgical-wound healing in the rat gingiva.

Background/purpose: Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) has been shown to promote periodontal tissue regeneration in clinical settings. However, reports on the effects of FGF-2 on soft-tissue wound healing after periodontal surgery are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FGF-2 on gingival wound healing. Materials and methods: Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Each group included 15 rats, with five animals in each experimental period. Five untreated rats were used as the no-treated group. Incisions were made bilaterally in the palatal mucosa from the mesial corner of the maxillary first molar up to the incisor, full-thickness flaps were raised, and sutures were placed. In the control group, no additional treatment was performed, whereas in the FGF-2 and enamel matrix derivative (EMD) groups, FGF-2 and EMD were applied before suturing, respectively. Animals in all groups were euthanized 1, 3, and 7 days, and the maxilla was resected. The re-epithelialization, gingival thickness, inflammation, and angiogenesis were evaluated histopathologically. Results: The FGF-2 group showed significantly greater re-epithelialization than the control group on day 1. The FGF-2 group showed significantly greater gingival thickness than the other two groups at all time points. The FGF-2 group showed significantly lesser inflammation than the control group on day 1. The FGF-2 group showed significantly higher angiogenesis than the control group on days 1 and 3. Conclusion: FGF-2 promotes re-epithelialization, and increases angiogenesis and gingival thickness. Additionally, FGF-2 reduces the inflammatory response during wound healing.