Tumor cells supernatant promotes the healing of diabetic foot ulcers in mice through increasing the expression of VEGF-A, α-SMA and Vimentin

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of tumor cells supernatant on treatment of diabetic foot ulcer in mice and on the expression of VEGF-A, α-SMA and Vimentin. Methods A total of 45 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (group A) , tumor cell supernatant treated group (group B) , and diabetic control group (group C) . Mouse models of type 2 diabetic foot ulcers were established in group B and group C. After the first day of modeling, group B were treated with tumor cells supernatant and the other two groups were injected with equal volume of medium. At the 1st, 3rd and 7th day following model established, mouse ulcer area was observed in each group. The ulcer infection rate and mortality of mice were compared between each group. The ulcer tissue of each group was HE-stained and the expression of VEGF-A, α-SMA and Vimentin in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) . ELISA assay was used to detect the relative protein levels and stability in tumor cells supernatant. Results The healing degree in group A (66.7%) and group B (80.0%) was better than that in group C (33.3%) and the infection rate (group A=0, group B=7.1%) and mortality (group A=0, group B=6.7%) were significantly lower than those of group C (40.0%, 33.3%) , and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Compared with group C, HE staining showed that the healing time of group A and B was shorter than group C, and the epidermal coverage was more obvious. The expression levels of VEGF-A, α-SMA and Vimentin detected by IHC in group A and B were significantly higher than those in group C. ELISA results showed high-level and stable TGF-β expression in the tumor cells supernatant. Conclusion The tumor cells supernatant can effectively promote the healing of diabetic foot ulcers in mice and TGF-β, VEGF-A, α-SMA and Vimentin play a very important role in ulcers healing process. Key words: Tumor cells supernatant; Diabetic foot; Mice; Vascular endothelial growth factor