Topically applied growth factors in dermahology: Review; [Topikal büyüme faktörlerinin dermatolojideki yeri]
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2010
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Abstract
Skin aging is a result of a series of cellular and extracellular changes caused by age (intrinsic aging) and environmental factors (extrinsic aging). In both types of skin aging, the average epidermal thickness is decreased, while the decrease of the amount of collagene in photodamaged skin is statistically meaningful (20%), compared with photo-protected skin. Because aging is an irreversable and inevitable process, the only possible intervention is to complete what's missing and/or to replace the old with the new. This has contributed to the development of methods like plastic surgery and hormone therapies, which provide a camouflage rather than preventing the aging process. Since 1990 certain drugs, manufactured by recombinant technologies, have been used in wound healing and skin regeneration and were found to be clinically successful. These drugs mainly contained recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF), recombinant bovine fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). Growth factors are proteins conducting intercellular and intracellular signaling pathways. These proteins conduct cell growth, proliferation and differentiation providing the continued existance of a healthy structure so that the skin can fuction properly. Topically applied growth factors mainly induces fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation in dermis resulting in dermal regeneration. Dermal regeneration is the main objective in many aspects of dermatology from wound healing to anti-aging. In this article basic mechanisms of skin aging and wound healing have been mentioned and, growth factors, their roles in the organism, topical usage in dermatology and risks associated with topically applied growth factors have been reviewed. Copyright © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri.