Objectives: Free gingival graft surgery is the gold standard for increasing the size of keratinized tissue. Blood supply in the recipient site is critical for healing. Therefore, in this study, the effect of FTY720 on angiogenesis, healing, and scar tissue presence following free gingival graft surgery is investigated.
Materials and methods: Surgeries were performed on 10 New Zealand white rabbits. Rabbits were randomly assigned to two groups. In the experimental group, immediately after surgery, 2 and 4 days later, FTY-720 was injected into the tissue surrounding the recipient site. In the control group, the same frequency of placebo vehicle was injected. After 30 days, tissue samples were assessed histologically and histomorphometrically.
Results: The blood vessel count (P < 0.000) and rete ridge formation (P < 0.05) in the experimental group were significantly higher, while the epithelial thickness was lower in this group (P < 0.000). There was no significant difference in the percentage of regions occupied by collagen fibres between the groups (P = 0.987). Furthermore, a significant and negative relationship between epithelial thickness and blood vessel count was shown (Pearson correlation coefficient = - 0.917).
Conclusions: The findings indicate that the angiogenic effects of FTY-720 in the recipient site of free gingival graft can be employed to promote tissue healing and reduce scar tissue presence.
Clinical relevance: A significant decrease in epithelial thickness and increase in angiogenesis as well as rete ridge formation score in the FTY-720 group were shown, which can be translated into improved tissue healing and less presence of scar tissue.
Keywords: Cicatrix; Fingolimod hydrochloride; Free gingival graft; Neovascularization; Physiologic.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.