An epidermal growth factor is a polypeptide that regenerates epidermal cells. Its action is manifested not only at the cellular, but also at the molecular level. It is expressed in slowing down the aging of the skin. The EGF factor was investigated and was discovered back in the 60s. 20th Century by American Professor Stanley Cohen. His discovery was highly appreciated, and as a sign of this in 1986 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Today, this factor has been widely used in many fields of medicine and cosmetology.
Its structure and how it works?
Epidermal growth factor (EGF - urogastron) is a complex compound, more precisely a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 6054 daltons, consisting of 53 amino acids. It was first isolated from the salivary glands of mice. It was later found in other healthy and diseased tissues.
Epidermal growth factor EGF was found in all human biological fluids - blood, urine, CSF, saliva, digestive juices, milk.
But for its action to take place, it needs receptors - EGFR. The epidermal growth factor receptor is a molecule in the cell membrane, from which signaling to the cell begins.
EGF carries out its action with the participation of the membrane receptor - EGFR, which belongs to the ErbB receptor family.
As a result of complex reactions, after interacting with its receptors, EGF causes phosphorylation of proteins that cause mRNA synthesis. This activates the transcription of the genes responsible for cell growth.
Why has EGF become available just now?
It was established not only the content of the factor in the tissues and body fluids, but also revealed that it has been in humans since birth. But in the process of life, it is gradually eliminated from the body through urine, which explains its second name.
Initially, EGF was isolated only by processing urine. Do you know that to get even 1 g of EGF, you need to process up to 200 thousand liters of urine? Such a gram cost about $ 2 million.
For the use of humanity everywhere it was unrealistic. The situation changed only at the beginning of the XXI century, when bioengineering with nanotechnology began to be used.
The cost of this miracle remedy was reduced by a thousand times and became available to everyone. Also, due to vacuum packaging, the long-term preservation of EGF has become a reality.
Substance formula
There is no data on the formula of epidermal growth factor. It refers to regenerants and reporters. The pharmacological action is wound healing and also stimulates epithelization and regeneration.
EGF Feature Today
The epidermal recombinant human growth factor (EGFr) is a highly purified peptide obtained due to the vital activity of baker's yeast 96, 102 (strain Saccharomycescerevisiae), into the genome of which the EGFr gene is introduced.
The genome is the totality of genes in a set of chromosomes, and genetic engineering can affect it. The EGFr gene, in turn, is derived from recombinant proteins. These are those proteins whose DNA is artificially created.
By the mechanism of action, such a obtained growth factor is identical to endogenous, which is produced in the body itself.
EGFr in the skin and tissues stimulates the growth of cells needed to heal damage; enhances epithelization, scarring and restores skin elasticity.
Pharmacokinetics
Plasma EGFr is absent, but is found in platelets (approximately 500 mmol / 1012 platelets). Therefore, it is possible to obtain an autologous epidermal growth factor.
What it is? Autologous epidermal growth factor - in fact, is used to indicate transplantation, when tissue for transplantation is taken from the recipient himself. In this case, plasma plays such a role.
Autologous plasma is a platelet plasma prepared from an autologous blood sample from a vein, which is then centrifuged.
It turns out a drug for injection into areas that need treatment or recovery. Injections are performed on skin, or the dressing is moistened with it and applied to the wound.
Topical application of epidermal human recombinant growth factor to a burn wound surface does not cause its absorption into the blood.
Indications
Indications:
- Treatment of diabetic foot with diabetes, when deep wounds that have not healed for more than a month are formed and larger than 1 cm 2 have already reached the ligaments, tendons and bones.
- Trophic ulcers due to endarteriosis, venous disorders.
- Burns of any depth and degree; pressure sores.
- Traumatic skin lesions after cosmetic or surgical procedures; non-healing stumps.
- Ulcers after administration of cytostatics, frostbite.
A fairly large list can be supplemented by the treatment of dermatitis after radiation.
Dosages and route of administration of EGF
The epidermal human recombinant growth factor is administered in a combined composition in the form of injections, and with silver sulfadiazine is used topically, externally.
Injection use - only in a hospital, with sterile gloves.
The wound is pre-cleaned with sterile physical. solution and sterile dry gauze wipes, then chipped factor.
If the size of the ulcers is more than 10 cm 2 , 10 injections of 0.5 ml are performed. The introduction is made evenly, along the edges of the wound, and then in its bed. The depth of insertion of the needle is not more than 5 mm. If the wound is less than 10 cm 2 - the calculation is done at 0.5 ml per 1 cm 2 .
So, for the treatment of wounds with an area of 4 cm 2 , there will be 4 injections. Each of them is produced with a new sterile needle to exclude any infection.
At the end of the manipulation, the surface of the ulcer is covered with a neutral atraumatic dressing or it is moistened to create moisture in the physical. solution.
Injections are carried out at least 3 times a week until granulation tissue is formed, covering the entire wound surface.
Treatment can last up to 2 months. The calculation goes - 1 bottle for 1 person.
If granulation does not appear, check for osteomyelitis or a local infection process. Topical application of the growth factor is carried out in combination with a silver compound, at any stage of the wound.
The wound is also pre-treated with antiseptic solutions and dried. Then a pea ointment of 1-2 mm is applied to the wound. Unused balances and expired factors are not subject to storage, are disposed of.
Side effects
Adverse reactions in percentage terms were identified as follows:
- 10-30% had trembling and chills;
- 24.0% have pain and burning sensation at the injection site;
- 4.4% have local infection;
- 3% - temperature increased.
Pain and burning may be related to the administration process itself. All side effects were temporary, not severe and did not require discontinuation of the drug.
Contraindications
Possible contraindications:
- diabetes complications - ketoacidosis, coma;
- decompensated cardiac activity: CHF 3-4 stages;
- arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation;
- AV block 3 degrees;
- OSSN - as part of MI, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism;
- oncology;
- wound necrosis;
- Arrester;
- osteomyelitis.
Relative contraindications - pregnancy, hepatitis B and age younger than 18 years.
The epidermal factor can be produced under different brand names:
- Eberprot-P ®;
- Ebermin is a combined preparation with silver sulfadiazine.
How does EGF work in cosmetics?
Scientists have found that age-related skin changes begin after 25 years. From this time on, one should take special care of her. The amount of EGF is directly proportional to the quality of the skin.
The natural production of EGF in the skin is reduced. The result is thinning of the skin and the loss of its tone. Therefore, the epidermal growth factor is a representative of the 4th generation of cosmetics, with complete success it can be called the elixir of youth. He cares for skin at the molecular level. The anti-aging complex is called: Time Passage - Turn Back the Time.
What does EGF do with the skin?
The epidermal growth factor in cosmetology launches the entire process of skin renewal:
- synthesis of own elastin and collagen increases dramatically;
- the density and elasticity of the skin returns to its former norm;
- pigmentation disappears;
- wrinkles are much reduced;
- any skin lesions heal quickly.
As a result, a pronounced anti-aging effect is evident.
What agents contain the factor?
Epidermal growth factor is most commonly used in Japanese and Korean anti-aging cosmetics. It can be found in wrinkle serums, creams, hydrogel patches (strips of a special tissue material that are saturated with nutrients), fabric masks, BB creams and even moisturizing mystes (water-based spray).
Even the minimum content of EGF - from 0.1% - will work efficiently, and the creators of the funds use it. Therefore, in the list of components, he often stands in last place. Well, and besides this factor, the composition also includes other moisturizing components: snail mucin, collagen, adenosine, matrixil and other peptides.
It is interesting that funds with an epidermal factor in Asian countries are not exclusive, they are designed for the average consumer, they are middle-level cosmetics and even a mass market.
Here are some of these brands: Secret Key, Mizon, Purebess, It'sSkin, Japanese DHC, Shiseido, Kanebo, Dr.Ci:Labo and others. They all work.
European cosmetics also contain EGF, but these products belong to professional and selective product lines (for example, Medik8) and are expensive.
Epidermal growth factor can be called: Human Epidermal Growth Factor (hEGF), HGF, Human EGF, rh-Oligo- or Polypeptide-1 (there can be other numbers instead of 1), sh-Oligo- or Polypeptide-1, transforming growth factor TGF .
Reviews
Consumers in reviews of the epidermal growth factor in creams call these drugs “bombs,” in a good sense of the word.
Korean cream "Mizon" - gives the effect immediately after the first application. Many argue that they began to look as if they were sleeping at least 9 hours a day, and a feeling of vigor appeared. Users only dream that funds are not taken out of production and not changed.
Buyers say that a gel with an epidermal factor works best. It's about It'sskin, Purebess. The action is noted not only on the face, but also on the legs, bikini, etc. Serums with epidermal growth factors, for example, Bodyton, have even greater good reviews. Reviews indicate that they perfectly rejuvenate, brighten and completely remove wrinkles. Women look at least 10-15 years younger. This is especially true for Japanese cosmetics.
Bit of tar
But is everything so beautiful in the kingdom of growth factor? Efficiency is proven and shown, but there is one very dangerous minus. The influence of growth factors also stimulates the growth of bad cells, not just healthy ones. It is dangerous for the development of skin cancer. So the choice is yours. As they say, no comments. In addition, TGF so intensifies the production of its collagen that scars may appear.