Effect of microbubble destruction with ultrasound on wound healing in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of microbubble(Sono Vue) destruction with ultrasound on wound healing in rats. Methods Total 96 SD rats were accepted one rounded whole-layer skin incision on back each other and randomly divided into four groups:microbubble destruction with ultrasound(US + MB),microbubble(MB), ultrasound(US) and control group. Rats in US + MB group were injected with 0.5 ml microbubble contrast agent via tail vein,and then ultrasound irradiated for 3 minutes immediately. MB group were injected with 0.5 ml microbubble contrast agent. US group were injected with 0.5 ml physiological saline,and then ultrasound irradiated for 3 minutes immediately under the same condition. Control group were injected with 0.5 ml physiological saline. Feed each rat in single cage. On day 1,3,5,7,14 and 21 after wound creation,the excised wound tissues were analyzed by histology and VEGF expression in wounds by immunohistochemistry. Results HE staining: On day 7, wounds of US + MB group displayed the most accumulation of granulation tissue and all new capillaries were perpendicular to the wound surface, but the new capillaries of other 3 groups were disordered. Immunohistochemical examination of VEGF expression:the peak expression appeared on day 3 in US + MB group, other 3 groups were on day 5 to day 7.Conclusions US + MB treatment could improve the quality of wound healing and granulation tissues were maturated earlier than MB, US treatment and control group, which could accelerate wound healing. High temperature,high pressure and some kind of chemistry effecs induced by microbubble destruction with ultrasound can stimulate the secretion of endogenous VEGF, which may be the mechanism of promoting angiogenesis and wound healing. Key words: Ultrasonography; Microbubbles; Wound healing