• Yao Qian, Wang Wei, Tianyun Pan, Jianfeng Lu, and Ying Wei.
• Department of Plastic Surgery, Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Central Hospital Huzhou University, Huzhou, China.
• Burns. 2024 Feb 1; 50 (1): 178189178-189.

Background And ObjectivesBotulinum toxin type A (BTA) is often used for wrinkles and muscle convulsive diseases due to its blocking of the transmission of nerve impulses. Stromal vascular fraction gel (SVF-gel) prepared from adipose tissue has novel effects on skin depression and poor texture. Both BTA and SVF-gel are proved to possess anti-scar potential. This study aimed to assess and compare their therapeutic effects on hypertrophic scars.Materials And MethodsThe rabbit ear scar model was established and treated with BTA and SVF-gel, alone or in combination. Gross evaluation using Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) was conducted immediately, 4 and 8 weeks after initial treatment. After tissue sample harvest, histological and Western blot analyses were performed.ResultsAll the treatments alleviated scar hyperplasia in different degrees by inhibiting fibroblast activation (Ki-67, α-SMA), tissue inflammation (CD45, IL-1β) and the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad3 pathway. Despite an excellent anti-inflammatory effect, improvement of scar appearance and pathological characteristics in SVF-gel-contained groups was not as good as that in BTA-only group, which might be related to the retention of M2-type macrophages (CD163 +) and partial maintenance of TGF-β1 expression.ConclusionOur data suggest that BTA has better anti-scar efficacy than SVF-gel, and the combination of these two treatments shows no obvious combinatorial effect.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd and International Society of Burns Injuries. All rights reserved.

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