Nerve growth factor promotes reparative angiogenesis and inhibits endothelial apoptosis in cutaneous wounds of Type 1 diabetic mice

Aims/hypothesis. The neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) is pro-angiogenic and facilitates wound repair. The present study was conducted to (i) assess the statement of NGF system components in diabetic wounds and (ii) evaluate whether NGF supplementation could prevent impairment of wound neoangiogenesis by diabetes. Methods. Skin wounds were produced in the interscapular region of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. NGF (1 μg per day in PBS) or vehicle was applied onto the ulcers for 3 days after punching. Non-diabetic mice were used as controls. Results. In wounds of untreated diabetic mice, endogenous levels of immunoreactive NGF were lower than those in wounds of non-diabetic mice (p