role of growth factors in wound healing

The aim of this work is to review and spot a light on the role of growthfactors in wound healing. Growth factors are complex family of polypeptide hormones or biological factors that are produced by the body to control growth, division and maturation. They regulate the division and proliferation of cells and influence the growth rate of some cancers. There are at least 60 different biologically active substances. Direct application of peptide growth factors to wounds accelerates healing .Platelets and their derivatives accelerate proliferation of an array of cells involved in soft and bony tissue regeneration. These effects have been evaluated, both in vitro and in vivo, in animals and humans. Growth factors can be exogenously applied to soft tissues to promote wound healing and tissue sealing. In patients undergoing certain surgical procedures, perioperative use of GFs may decrease the length of hospitalization and the need for allogeneic blood products.> Several recombinant growth factors have been tested for their ability to accelerate the healing of chronic wounds. Some promising results, have been obtained using EGF and keratinocyte growth factor-2 for venous ulcers and FGF & PDGF for pressure ulcers with acceleration the healing by about 15 percent.