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A new animal model to study secondary intention wound healing and the effects of topically applied rhTGF-beta 1 was developed. A time course study was performed of full thickness 6 mm punch wounds placed on the backs of anesthetized pigs and treated once with either 3% methylcellulose or rhTGF-beta 1 in 3% methylcellulose or left untreated. Wounds receiving rhTGF-beta 1 had enhanced tensile strength at days 4 and 7 compared to controls. Studies of the response on days 4 and 7 to graded doses of rhTGF-beta 1 showed that a dose of 250 or 2500 ng rhTGF-beta 1 gave a similar enhanced wound strength, while 25 ng rhTGF-beta 1 had no effect. Blood flow to treated granulating wounds as measured by 141Ce microspheres indicate an increase in flow in wounds treated with 250, 500 or 2500 ng rhTGF-beta 1 compared to controls. These results indicate a possible use for rhTGF-beta 1 in enhancing wound healing clinically.

INFECTION in utero can result in stillbirth, prematurity, malformation, growth failure and mental retardation.1 2 3 4 5 Rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, Treponema pallidum and toxoplasma are known causes of intrauterine infections that lead to fetal damage. Other agents, including mumps, influenza, Coxsackie, ECHO and vaccinia viruses, may be implicated.1 2 3 The incidence and etiology of these infections cannot be determined with any degree of accuracy by a retrospective study of illness during pregnancy, primarily because it is difficult to recollect trivial or short lasting symptoms or to establish an exact microbiologic diagnosis six months later. A clinical survey of newborn infants is also unsatisfactory since . . .