[Comparison of biological characteristics and quantity of epidermal stem cells from hypertrophic scar skin and normal skin of human beings].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the biological characteristics of epidermal stem cells (ESCs) from hypertrophic scar and normal skin. METHODS: Epidermal stem cells were separated, enriched and adhered from 20 hypertrophic scars (scar group) and 20 normal skins (control group). The morphology and growth characteristics of primary epidermal stem cells were observed. The absorbance (A) values of expression of Keratin 19, nucleoprotein p63 and integrin ß1 were tested by Western blot. And the genes of Oct-4 and Nanog were tested by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Flow cytometry was used to examine the markers of integrin CD29, integrin CD49f and Keratin 19 of ESCs. RESULTS: The primary cultured cells showed the similar shape and growth curve. By comparing the epidermal stem cells from scar groups and control groups, the absorbance values of the expression of Keratin 19, nucleoprotein p63 and integrin ß1 were 860 ± 4, 712 ± 3, 422 ± 6 and 862 ± 3, 707 ± 9, 413 ± 6 (all P > 0.05). The expression values of Oct-4, Nanog were (7.79 ± 0.44)×10(-4), (5.96 ± 0.36)×10(-4) and (7.93 ± 0.29)×10(-4), (6.06 ± 0.35)×10(-4) (all P > 0.05). Percentages of positive cells expressing CD29, CD49f and Keratin 19 were (97.3 ± 0.7)%, (94.6 ± 1.1)%, (92.5 ± 0.8)% and (98.8 ± 4.6)%, (98.9 ± 0.4)%, (94.4 ± 0.7)% respectively (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ESCs in hypertrophic scar have the same characteristics with ESCs in normal skin. However, the ESCs from hypertrophic scar are lower than that from normal skin.

[Skin needle roller importing triamcinolone acetonide into scar to treat hypertrophic scars].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of importing triamcinolone acetonide into hypertrophic scars with skin roller needles. METHODS: Thirty-two cases with burn hypertrophic scar were treated. The skin roller needles were moved back and forth on the hypertrophic scars with triamcinolone acetonide dropping on the scar surface at the same time. So the triamcinolone acetonide could be imported into the scar through needles and needle holes. The effect was evaluated as cured, effective, and no effect. The Vancouver scaring criteria and visual analogue scale was used to assess the scar color, thickness, texture and feeling before and after treatment, as well as at the untreated scar area (control). RESULTS: Thirty-two cases were treated 1-3 times, including 28 cases with cured result and 4 cases with effective result. The total effective rate was 100%. The scar color, thickness, texture and feeling was significantly different between the scar before and after treatment, or between the treated and untreated scar (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Importing triamcinolone acetonide into hypertrophic scars with skin roller needles is effective. It is a new method for the treatment of large hypertrophic scar with medicine.