ObjectiveTo compare the accelerating effect of topical recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) and recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rb-bFGF) on wound healing after fractional CO2 laser therapy.MethodsTwenty male guinea pigs were included in this study.After hair removal and irradiation with fractional CO2 laser,the back of each guinea pig was divided into 4 regions to be topically treated with rhEGF of 10 μg/cm2 (rhEGF group),rb-bFGF of 262.51 IU/cm2 (rb-bFGF group),the combination of rhEGF and rb-bFGF (combination group),or normal saline (control group),twice daily until the healing of wound.Skin physiology parameters including elasticity index and melanin index were detected before the irradiation,7,14 and 28 days after the irradiation,and compared between the 4 groups by analysis of variance.Tissue specimens were obtained from 4 mice at the above time points and subjected to pathological examination for the observation of collagen fibers and quantification of fibroblasts.ResultsAfter fractional CO2 laser therapy,the crusts fall off completely in growth factor-treated regions,while partly in the control regions,within 3 to 7 days; the wounds healed completely in 14 to 28 days in all the groups,with the regenerating tissue being more tender and redder compared with the surrounding unirradiated tissue.The wound surface was smaller in area and redder in color in the 3 growth factor-treated groups than in the control group.At 28 days after the irradiation,the elasticity index was 262.29 ± 62.40 in the combination group,202.00 ± 65.62 in the rhEGF group,188.86 ± 35.02 in the rb-bFGF group,167.14 ± 42.49 in the control group.Statistical difference was observed in elasticity index,but not in skin melanin index among the 4 groups.Pathological examination showed a dense and organized arrangement of collagen fibers in the combination group but a sparse and disorganized arrangement of collagen fibers in the control group.ConclusionThe combined application of rhEGF and rbbFGF can accelerate the healing of wound and increase the elasticity of regenerating tissue after fractional CO2 laser therapy.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）， as a progressive lung disease， has a poor prognosis and no reliable and effective therapies. IPF is mainly treated by organ transplantation and administration of chemical drugs， which are ineffective and induce side effects， failing to meet the clinical needs. Therefore， developing safer and more effective drugs has become an urgent task， which necessitates clear understanding of the pathogenesis of IPF. The available studies about the pathogenesis of IPF mainly focus on macrophage polarization， epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）， oxidative stress， and autophagy， while few studies systematically explain the principles and links of the pathogeneses. According to the traditional Chinese medicine theory， Qi deficiency and blood stasis and Qi-Yang deficiency are the key pathogeneses of IPF. Therefore， the Chinese medicines or compound prescriptions with the effects of replenishing Qi and activating blood， warming Yang and tonifying Qi， and eliminating stasis and resolving phlegm are often used to treat IPF. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that such medicines play a positive role in inhibiting macrophage polarization， restoring redox balance， inhibiting EMT， and regulating cell autophagy. However， few studies report how Chinese medicines regulate the pathways in the treatment of IPF. By reviewing the latest articles in this field， we elaborate on the pathogenesis of IPF and provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanism of the active ingredients or compound prescriptions of Chinese medicines in regulating IPF. Combining the pathogenesis of IPF with the modulating effects of Chinese medicines， we focus on exploring systemic treatment options for IPF， with a view to providing new ideas for the in-depth study of IPF and the research and development of related drugs.