This study investigated the potential benefits of shockwave therapy on promoting blood vessel formation in human cells. The researchers used a three-dimensional culture model on Matrigel with a human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1) and stimulated it with low energy soft-focused shock waves generated by an SW lithotripter.

The results of the study showed that shockwave treatment led to a significant increase in capillary connections in the cells after just 12 hours, compared to the control group. The researchers also observed a down-regulation in genes involved in apoptotic processes, cell cycle, oncogenes, cell adhesion, and proteolytic systems.

These preliminary findings suggest that shockwave therapy may induce neoangiogenesis – the formation of new blood vessels – in human cells. The study’s results indicate that microvascular endothelial cells quickly respond to shock waves, proliferating and forming vessel-like structures depending on the energy level and number of shocks released.

If further research supports these findings, shockwave therapy could be a useful tool for promoting blood vessel formation in humans. This could have implications for a variety of medical conditions, such as promoting healing and tissue regeneration in wounds or treating conditions such as peripheral artery disease.

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