Effects of a specially pulsed electric field on an animal model of wound healing

Lasers Med Sci. 2009 Sep;24(5):735-40. doi: 10.1007/s10103-008-0631-6. Epub 2008 Dec 5.

Abstract

The possible beneficial effects of a specially pulsed electric field (PEF) on wound healing were investigated in this study. We made a pair of triangular, full-thickness, dorsal incisions in the skin of 32 healthy male mice (one control group and three exposure groups). The treatment groups were kept between parallel plates in a partially insulated exposed environment. Group I was exposed to an electric field intensity of 10 kV/m, group II was exposed to 1.9 kV/m, and group III was exposed to 0.9 kV/m. PEFs were applied to the subjects for 20-22 h and 8 consecutive days. We determined the differences in wound recovery between the groups based on the following parameters: collagen fiber density, inflammatory infiltration density, capillary proliferation, and existence of exudates. We found that a 0.9 kV/m-1.9 kV/m chopped direct current (DC) electric field with a 30 micros repetition time favorably affected collagen synthesis and wound recovery. Despite the intensity of 0.9-1.9 kV/m, PEF accelerated healing, but 10 kV/m decelerated this recovery process.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capillaries / growth & development
  • Collagen / biosynthesis
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods*
  • Exudates and Transudates / physiology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal
  • Skin / blood supply
  • Skin / injuries
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin / physiopathology
  • Wound Healing / physiology*

Substances

  • Collagen