Abstract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) on the healing of diabetic foot wounds.

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Background/Aims: To investigate the regulation of LaCl₃ on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: Primary cultured HUVECs were pretreated with 2.5 µM LaCl₃ for 30 min followed by 1 µg/ml LPS for 2 h. Pro-inflammatory cytokine and adhesion molecule expressions were determined by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. NF-κB/p65 nuclear translocation was examined by immunofluorescence and immuno-blot, and its DNA-binding activity was measured by chemiluminescence. Recruitment of NF-κB/p65, Jmjd3, and H3K27me3 to gene promoter regions was determined by ChIP-qPCR. Results: LaCl₃ exhibited no cytotoxic effects to primary HUVECs at concentrations ≤ 50 µM. LPS-mediated TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MMP-9, and ICAM-1 production, nuclear translocation, and DNA-binding activity of NF-κB/p65, as well as Jmjd3 expression, were all reduced significantly by LaCl₃. Furthermore, LaCl₃ treatment significantly impaired LPS-induced enrichment of NF-κB/p65 to the promoter regions of TNF-α, MMP-9, IL-1β, ICAM-1, and IL-6; and of Jmjd3 to the promoter regions of TNF-α, MMP-9, IL-1β, and IL-6. H3K27me3 abundance in the promoter regions of TNF-α and ICAM-1 increased significantly in following LaCl₃ treatment. Conclusion: LaCl₃ inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine and adhesion molecule expressions induced by LPS in HUVECs. NF-κB and histone demethylase Jmjd3 are involved in this effect.

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BACKGROUND Keloids and hypertrophic scars often result after skin trauma. Currently, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) is the criterion standard in nonsurgical management of keloids and hypertrophic scars. Intralesional verapamil may be an effective alternative modality, but it has been insufficiently studied. Accordingly, the study authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to compare the efficacy and safety of the two drugs. METHODS The study authors systematically searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for relevant trials published in any language through September 2018. RESULTS According to the four studies included in this review, TAC improved scar pliability and vascularity more than verapamil after 3 weeks (P < .05). For scar height and scar pigmentation, no statistical difference was observed between the treatments (P > .05). The difference in effects on symptoms was not statistically significant (P = .89). For pain and telangiectasia, no statistical difference was observed (P > .05). Verapamil resulted in fewer cases of skin atrophy (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS It appears that TAC is more effective than verapamil for improving scar pliability and vascularity in keloids and hypertrophic scars after 3 weeks of treatment. However, verapamil has fewer adverse drug reactions than TAC, which allows for a longer treatment period and the possibility that it might be effective for patients who cannot receive TAC.