BAPS PaperTracheal cartilage growth by intratracheal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor

Background/PurposeWe have previously shown that intratracheal injection of slowly released (in gelatin) basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) significantly enlarged the tracheal lumen by a slight margin. This study aimed to investigate differences in tracheal cartilage growth by the intratracheal injection of bFGF doses in a rabbit model.MethodsWater (group 1; n = 7; control) or 100 μg (group 2; n = 8) or 200 μg (group 3; n = 8) of bFGF dissolved in water was injected into the posterior wall of the cervical trachea of New Zealand white rabbits using a tracheoscope. All animals were sacrificed four weeks later.ResultsThe mean circumferences of cervical tracheas for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 18.8 ± 0.83, 21.1 ± 2.0, and 22.1 ± 1.3 mm, respectively. A significant difference was found between groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.034) and groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.004). The mean luminal areas of cervical tracheas for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 27.0 ± 2.1, 32.2 ± 4.8, and 36.3 ± 4.6 mm2, respectively. A significant difference was found between groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.001).ConclusionIntratracheal injection of bFGF in the dose range used significantly promoted the growth of tracheal cartilage in a rabbit model.Levels of Evidence: Level II at treatment study (animal experiment).