Effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A on Collagen Deposition in Hypertrophic Scars.docVIP

Molecules 2012, 17, 2169-2177; doi:10.3390/moleculeOPEN ACCESS molecules ISSN 1420-3049 /journal/molecules Article Effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A on Collagen Deposition in Hypertrophic Scars Zhibo Xiao 1 and Guofan Qu 2,* 1 Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China 2 Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: Guofanqu@126.com. Received: 16 December 2011; in revised form: 14 February 2012 / Accepted: 17 February 2012 / Published: 21 February 2012 Abstract: A recent study reported that Botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) could inhibit the growth of hypertrophic scars and improve their appearance. However, the mechanism of BTXA’s action on hypertrophic scars is still unknown. Some in vitro studies had shown BTXA could alleviate hypertrophic scars by acting on the biological behavior of fibroblasts, but there are few in vivo experiments, especially animal model experiments, supporting these findings. The aim of the study reported herein was to investigate the effect of BTXA on collagen deposition on hypertrophic scars in a rabbit ear model and partially clarify the mechanism of BTXA on the hypertrophy of scars. The rabbit hypertrophic scar model was used and eight rabbits were employed. BTXA was injected into the hypertrophic scar tissue of one ear; and the other ear in the same rabbit was the control without BTXA injection. The scar thickness and deposition of collagen was examined through immune histochemistry including haematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson trichrome staining. The thicknesses of hypertrophic scars in the BTXA treatment group were obviously lower than in the control groups (P 0.01). HE and Masson staining showed that collagen fibers were stained blue. Comp