Roland Tschannen

Effect of a hexosylceramide fraction of the hemodialysate solcoseryl on wound-healing angiogenesis

Rabbit ear chambers were used to investigate the effects of a locally applied hexosylceramide fraction (Hex-Cer) of the hemodialysate Solcoseryl on wound-healing angiogenesis. The transparent methacrylate ear chambers were inserted under full aseptic precautions. Immediately after implantation the chambers in control rabbits were filled with physiological saline while the chambers in experimental rabbits were injected with a solution containing either 0.3 or 2.5 micrograms/ml of Hex-Cer, respectively. On the second postoperative day the chambers were reinjected with the corresponding solutions. Thereafter the chambers were examined three times weekly. The onset and rate of the neovascular response were measured by using a standard dissecting microscope equipped with a camera. Vessel growth in ear chambers treated with Hex-Cer at the lower concentration showed very little difference from that seen in control chambers; in both groups the first appearance of new capillaries occurred on an average of 18 days after implantation, and the chambers became fully filled with vessels by the 30th day. However, in chambers treated with Hex-Cer at the higher concentration, the first invasion of capillaries was detected 3 days earlier than in controls (P less than 0.05). Correspondingly, in the chambers treated with Hex-Cer complete vascularization was achieved 7 days earlier than in the control chambers (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that locally applied Hex-Cer exerted an accelerating effect on wound-healing angiogenesis.