Periplaneta americana extract promotes hard palate mucosal wound healing via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in male mice.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Periplaneta americana extract, a traditional Chinese medicine, on hard palate mucosal wound healing and explore the underlying mechanisms. DESIGN: Hard palate mucosal wound model was established and the effects of Periplaneta americana extract on hard palate mucosal wound healing were investigated by stereomicroscopy observation and histological evaluation in vivo. Human oral keratinocytes and human gingival fibroblasts, which play key roles in hard palate mucosal wound healing, were selected as the main research cells in vitro. The effects of Periplaneta americana extract on cell proliferation, migration, and collagen formation were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Transwell assay, and Van Gieson staining. The underlying mechanism was revealed by RNA sequencing, and results were verified by western blot assay. RESULTS: Stereomicroscopy observation and H&E staining confirmed that Periplaneta americana extract accelerated the healing rate of hard palate mucosal wound (p < 0.001) in vivo. Transwell assay and Van Gieson staining assay showed that Periplaneta americana extract promoted the migration and collagen formation of human oral keratinocytes (p < 0.001) and human gingival fibroblasts (p < 0.001) in vitro. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing and western blot assay demonstrated that Periplaneta americana extract promoted hard palate mucosal wound healing via PI3K/AKT signaling, and the beneficial effects of Periplaneta americana extract were abrogated by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. CONCLUSIONS: Periplaneta americana extract shows promising effects for the promotion of hard palate mucosal wound healing and may be a novel candidate for clinical translation.

Biomaterials derived from hard palate mucosa for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Autologous materials have superior biosafety and are widely used in clinical practice. Due to its excellent trauma-healing ability, the hard palate mucosa (HPM) has become a hot spot for autologous donor area research. Multiple studies have conducted an in-depth analysis of the healing ability of the HPM at the cellular and molecular levels. In addition, the HPM has good maneuverability as a donor area for soft tissue grafts, and researchers have isolated various specific mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from HPM. Free soft tissue grafts obtained from the HPM have been widely used in the clinic and have played an essential role in dentistry, eyelid reconstruction, and the repair of other specific soft tissue defects. This article reviews the advantages of HPM as a donor area and its related mechanisms, classes of HPM-derived biomaterials, the current status of clinical applications, challenges, and future development directions.

Extensive full-thickness eyelid reconstruction with rotation flaps through "subcutaneous tunnel" and palatal mucosal grafts.

AIM: To reconstruct the extensive full-thickness defects of eyelids is a challenge for the plastic surgeon because of their complex anatomy and special functions. This article presents and discusses an improved surgical technique in which the orbicularis oculi myocutaneous flap is rotated through a "subcutaneous tunnel" in conjunction with a palatal mucosal graft employed for lining. METHODS: Data from 22 eyes with extensive full-thickness eyelid defects from various causes between 2009 and 2013 were analyzed in this study. After the different layers of eyelid were separated completely, a temporally based orbicularis oculi myocutaneous flap was designed following fishtail lines and was mobilized, leaving the base of the pedicle intact with a submuscular tissue attachment. The flap was then rotated through a "subcutaneous tunnel" to the defect, and the donor site was closed primarily. Posterior lamellar reconstruction was performed with a mucosal graft harvested from the hard palate. RESULTS: All the flaps were survived without any healing problems. There was no corneal irritation, flap contraction, or significant donor-site morbidity in the follow-up period. The incision scars were almost invisible. The defects were repaired completely, and the evaluations showed satisfactory function and appearance. CONCLUSION: This technique is an improved single-stage operation and can be applied to repair large, full-thickness eyelid defects from various causes. With our method, the functional and aesthetic results can be obtained in either the upper or lower eyelids.