Effects of sevoflurane on collagen production and growth factor expression in rats with an excision wound

Background: Sevoflurane is a widely used inhalation anesthetic, but there are no studies on its effect on the wound-healing process. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of exposure time to sevoflurane on wound healing. Method: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. Two circular full-thickness skin defects 8 mm in diameter were made on the dorsum of the rats. The animals were divided into six groups according to exposed gas type and time: S1 (sevoflurane, 1 h), S4 (sevoflurane, 4 h), S8 (sevoflurane, 8 h), O1 (oxygen, 1 h), O4 (oxygen, 4 h), and O8 (oxygen, 8 h). The surface area of the wounds was measured 0, 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery. Separately, the mean blood pressures (MBP) and arterial oxygen pressures (PaO2) were monitored during the sevoflurane exposure. Collagen type I production and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression on the wound surface were analyzed. Routine histological analysis was also performed. Result: Exposure duration to sevoflurane had no influence on MBP and PaO2. The reduction in wound size and collagen type I production was delayed in S8. The expression of TGF-β1 and bFGF on the wound surface in S8 was significantly attenuated in S8. The histology of the S8 demonstrated a delayed healing status. Conclusions: Prolonged exposure to sevoflurane might alter the inflammatory phase of the wound-healing process by attenuation of growth factor expression such as TGF-β1 and bFGF and subsequently by reduced collagen production.