Abstract
Aim. To compare aspects of wound healing after cleft lip surgery performed within one week of age and wound healing after surgery performed within 2 - 4 months of age, especially concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in tissue removed during surgery.
Methods. 34 tissue samples (26 boys and 8 girls) were removed during surgery within one week of age (n=19) or within 2 - 4 months of age (n=15). Tissue samples were separated into epidermis, dermis and mucous membrane.
Proteins were extracted in cacodylic buffer for 24 h at a temperature 2 - 8 degrees C. Total protein concentrations were examined using a modification of the Lowry method.
Samples were examined using ELISA kit Amersham Biotrak Activity Assay (GE Healthcare UK) for detection of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations. Results.
MMP-9: early surgery - epidermis 2.168+/-3.303 mu g/g of protein (mean+/-SD), dermis 1.251+/-1.848 mu g/g, 2 - 4 months surgery - epidermis 0.347+/-0.212 mu g/g, dermis 0.555+/-0.276 mu g/g. TIMP-1: early surgery - epidermis 1.762+/-2.162 mu g/g, dermis 1.628+/-0.822 mu g/g, mucous membrane 2.066+/-1.717 mu g/g, 2 - 4 months surgery - epidermis 1.881+/-2.810 mu g/g, dermis 3.117+/-1.540 mu g/g, mucous membrane 4.833+/-6.550 mu g/g.
Conclusions. There were no significant differences in concentrations of protein MMP-9 in epidermis and dermis and TIMP-1 in epidermis and mucous membrane according to time of surgery.
Significantly decreased levels of TIMP-1 in dermis were found in samples obtained from early surgery compared to levels in samples obtained from 2 - 4 months surgery.