Shockwave Therapy Enhances Skin Graft Revascularization in Mice
Tile of study: Angiogenic response to extracorporeal shock wave treatment in murine skin isografts
Authors: Alexander Stojadinovic, Eric A Elster, Khairul Anam, Douglas Tadaki, Mihret Amare, Stephen Zins, Thomas A Davis
Skin grafts are commonly used to cover open wounds and promote healing. One of the most important factors in the success of a skin graft is the growth of new blood vessels to supply the graft with oxygen and nutrients. Extracorporeal shock-wave treatment (ESWT) has been shown to accelerate wound healing, but scientists did not fully understand how it worked. In this study, researchers investigated the effects of ESWT on skin graft revascularization in mice.
The researchers found that administering ESWT immediately after skin grafting significantly increased the number, size, and density of blood vessels in the graft. This was accompanied by increased expression of genes related to angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, and wound repair. These genes included chemokines, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases, among others. The early pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of ESWT appeared to promote tissue revascularization and wound healing by augmenting angiogenesis and dampening inflammation.
These findings suggest that ESWT could be a useful tool in promoting the success of skin grafts and accelerating wound healing. The non-invasive nature of ESWT makes it an attractive option for patients with open wounds or skin grafts, as it does not involve surgery or other invasive procedures. While this study was conducted in mice, further research is needed to determine if the same effects are observed in humans. If so, ESWT could become an important new tool in the treatment of skin grafts and other wounds.