To study the vascularization of the collagen-binding basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-loaded collagen membranes in soft tissue repair in the hard palates of rats.

Ninety-six male 6-week-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, and 3-mm-diameter circular soft tissue defects were produced from the distal surface of the third molar to the mesial surface of the first molar in their hard palates. The defects were covered with a collagen-targeting bFGF/collagen membrane, a free bFGF/collagen membrane, a collagen membrane or no membrane (control group). Every 6th rat was randomly sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks in every group after surgery. Wound healing and the number of new blood vessels were measured by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.

The numbers of new blood vessels in the collagen-targeting bFGF/collagen membrane group were 8.94 ± 0.61, 17.39 ± 2.08 and 11.22 ± 1.66 at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after surgery, respectively, which were significantly greater than the values in the other groups (P<0.05). At 8 weeks, the number of new blood vessels in the collagen-targeting bFGF/collagen membrane group was 4.17 ± 1.28, and there was no significant difference in the numbers of new blood vessels between any of the groups (P > 0.05).

Collagen-targeting bFGF/collagen membranes had a favorable effect on promoting angiogenesis during wound healing, and promoted wound healing.