The effect of ultrashortwave therapy on the expression of fibroblast growth factor in the wounds of diabetics

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of ultrashortwave irradiation on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and the growth of new capillaries and pathological changes in wounds affecting diabetics. Methods Ninety healthy, adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, a diabetic group and an experimental group, each of 30. A model of diabetes was induced in each rat of the diabetic and experimental groups by intraperitoneal injection of 55 mg/kg of streptozotocin. Skin ulcers were then established by scraping. The experimental group was given ultrashortwave treatment, while the other groups were given no intervention. Three, 7, 14 and 21 days after the injury, tissues at the edge and in the central part of the ulcers were collected and given hematoxylin-eosin staining, and microvessels were counted. Any pathological changes in the ulcers were observed under an optical microscope, and the expression of bFGF was detected using immunohistochemistry. Results In the control group, the 50% and 100% healing times were (8.94±0.87)d and (16.56±1.04)d respectively. The 50% and 100% healing times of the experimental group were (12.78±1.26)d and (23.25±1.54)d-significantly shorter than those of the diabetic group. The average microvessel count of the experimental group rats increased from (12.5±1.52) on day 3 to (17.83±1.94) on day 7 and then to (23.5±1.876) on day 14 and finally to (29.33±2.736) on day 21. Those counts were significantly greater than those of the diabetic group at the same time points. The average index of bFGF expression increased from (11.83±1.17) on day 3, to (23.33±1.51) on day 7 and further to (55.50±4.09) on day 21, and then decreased to (22.50±1.87) on day 21, but always remaining significantly higher than in the diabetic group at the same time points. Conclusion Ultrashortwave therapy can increase the expression of bFGF, promote capillary angiogenesis and quicken the healing of diabetics' wounds. Key words: Diabetes; Skin ulcers; Basic fibroblast growth factor; Ultrashortwave therapy