Effects of fibroblast growth factor on wound healing in nasal mucosa

Introduction: Procedures such as endoscopic sinus surgery, septoplasty, skull base surgeries, turbinate surgeries cause mechanical trauma to the nasal mucosa. In this sense, the search for alternatives to commonly used agents and the production of drugs, sprays and drops that are more potent but have less side effect profiles aims to increase the complications that may occur after nasal surgeries, the post-surgical comfort of patients and the success of surgery. The aim of this experimental study is to histopathologically demonstrate the effects of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) on wound healing in the nasal mucosa. Materıals and Methods: 42 Wistar Albino male rats were used in this study. No surgical procedures were performed on the sham group (n=6) and were considered as reference. Animals subjected to nasal mucosal damage were divided into control (n = 18) and experimental groups (n = 18). Animals in both groups were divided into three subgroups of six each, according to their follow-up periods. Topical application was applied to the animals in these groups and followed for 5, 10 and 15 days, respectively. After follow-up, the animals used in the experiment were sacrificed after their nasal septum mucosa was removed for histopathological examination. Epithelial thickness index, subepithelial thickness index, inflammation score, goblet and ciliated cell count, and iNOS immunoreactivity scoring in the mucosa were evaluated histologically. Results: In the evaluation of epithelial thickness index, a significant difference was observed between the FGF group and the SF group on the 10th and 15th days (p<0.05). In the inflammation score and iNOS level examination, a significant difference was observed between the FGF group and the SF group on the 15th day (p<0.05). No significant difference was detected between the FGF and SF groups in terms of goblet and ciliated cell loss (p>0.005). Subepithelial thickness index was found to be significantly lower in the FGF group on the 15th day (p<0.05). Conclusion: In light of these findings, it is thought that FGF has positive effects on wound healing in the nasal mucosa and can be used therapeutically, especially after nasal surgeries, but additional studies are needed for this. Key words: Nasal mucosa, Fibroblast Growth Factor, wound healing