Page 50 - Read Online

Nakamoto et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2024;11:54 https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2024.82 Page 13 of 14

The present study has several limitations. First, it did not explore possible mechanisms by which the beta-
blocker accelerated the epithelialization in grafted wounds. Second, the study lasted only 14 days, which
limited the evaluation of cosmetic outcomes and scar contracture. Third, a dose-dependency study for
timolol was not conducted to determine the optimal concentration. Fourth, the study did not assess the
protein levels (post-transcriptional level) of the measured markers. Finally, RNA levels of these markers
were only measured on Day 14, leaving their potential changes at early time points unexamined. Therefore,
studies are needed to investigate the mechanistic aspects of the beneficial effects of beta-blockers in wound
healing.

DECLARATIONS
Authors’ contributions
Developed the concept and planned the experiments: Nakamoto K, Enkhbaatar P
Carried out the experiments: Nakamoto K, Batsaikhan TA, Kakizaki R, Heathman T
Contributed to RT-qPCR analysis: Liu N, Fagg WS
Provided critical feedback and helped analyze data and prepare the manuscript: Nakamoto K, Batsaikhan
TA, Liu N, Fagg WS, Kakizaki R, Heathman T, Enkhbaatar P

Availability of data and materials
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Nakamoto K,
upon reasonable request.

Financial support and sponsorship
Financial support for Nakamoto K, Batsaikhan TA, Kakizaki R, Heathman T, and Enkhbaatar P was
National Institutes of Health GM097480. Funding support for Fagg WS and Liu N was from the John L
Hern University Chair in Transplant Surgery to Fagg WS and the Mimmie and Hallie Smith Endowed
Chair of Transplant Research to Fagg WS.

Conflicts of interest
All authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
This study followed the guidelines of the National Institutes of Health and the American Physiological
Society regarding the care and use of laboratory animals, and the protocol of this study was approved by the
University of Texas Medical Branch Animal Care and Use Committee (protocol #2003030).

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2024.

REFERENCES
1. Rijpma D, Pijpe A, Claes K, et al. Outcomes of Meek micrografting versus mesh grafting on deep dermal and full thickness (burn)
wounds: study protocol for an intra-patient randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2023;18:e0281347. DOI PubMed PMC
2. Wu CJ, Li JJ, Liao WC, et al. Using various skin graft techniques in major burn reconstruction: a lesson learned from a taiwanese
cornstarch explosion. Ann Plast Surg 2021;86:S30-4. DOI PubMed
3. Koetsier KS, Wong JN, Muffley LA, Carrougher GJ, Pham TN, Gibran NS. Prospective observational study comparing burn surgeons’
estimations of wound healing after skin grafting to photo-assisted methods. Burns 2019;45:1562-70. DOI PubMed
4. Yang R, Liu F, Wang J, Chen X, Xie J, Xiong K. Epidermal stem cells in wound healing and their clinical applications. Stem Cell Res