Nano-microcapsule basic fibroblast growth factor combined with hypoxia-inducible factor-1 improves random skin flap survival in rats

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nano-microcapsule‑basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) combined with hypoxia-inducible factor‑1 (HIF-1) on the random skin flap survival of rats. Male Sprague‑Dawley rats were used to establish the McFarlane flap model and subsequently, all model rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, bFGF, HIF‑1 and bFGF combined with HIF‑1. The model rats were treated with 2.5 µg/day bFGF and 1.0 µg/day HIF‑1 for 5 days by intraperitoneal injection. On day 5 following treatment, the boundaries between necrotic and surviving regions were significantly inhibited by bFGF combined with HIF‑1. bFGF combined with HIF‑1 inhibited oxidative stresses and inflammatory factors in random skin flap survival of rats. bFGF combined with HIF‑1 also activated the protein expression levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)‑2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the random skin flap survival of rats. In conclusion, nano‑microcapsule bFGF combined with HIF‑1 prevented random skin flap survival in rats through antioxidative, anti‑inflammatory and activation of the protein expression levels of COX-2 and VEGF.