Effect of vacuum sealing drainage on the expression of VEGF and miRNA-17-5p in seawater-immersed blast-injury wounds.

The aim of the present study was to compare and observe the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and miRNA-17-5p during the treatment of seawater-immersed blast-injury wounds (SIBIW) under different conditions of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD), and to identify the optimized range of VSD treatment and partially explain its mechanisms. The bilateral hips and scapulae of experimental pigs (weight, 25-30 kg) were subjected to blast-injury wounds, followed by the seawater immersion. The animals then underwent conventional dressing treatment under 120, 180 and 240 mmHg VSD. Visual observation, in addition to histological, immunohistochemical and molecular biological techniques were applied to compare and observe the extent of wound healing and expression levels of VEGF and miRNA-17-5p. The wound healing of the VSD treatment group was improved compared with the control group, with 120 mmHg negative pressure producing the most marked effect. miR-17-5p expression was detected in the SIBIW granulation tissues. There was significant difference between each VSD treatment group and control group at each time point (P<0.05). Thus, the present results show that miR-17-5p can be expressed in SIBIW granulation tissues, and this effect is most evident under 120 mmHg negative pressure, which may inform the optimized negative range for the treatment of SIBIW.