Comparison of the systemic action of electroacupuncture and laserpuncture in experimental injuries on the back skin of Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the systemic action of electroacupuncture and laserpuncture in the repair of excisional cutaneous injuries on the back of adult female Wistar rats. METHODS: Ninety animals were divided into three experimental groups: C-control; E-treated with electroacupuncture [acupoints: Feishu (BL13), Geshu (BL17), Zusanli (ST36)]; L-treated with laserpuncture (same acupoints) and euthanized on the 7th, 14th and 21st days for tissue removal and preparation for histomorphometric and biochemical (dosages, zymography and Western blotting) analysis. RESULTS: The number of fibroblasts in the E and L groups presented higher values than the C on the 14th and 21st days. The number of granulocytes was lower than C on the 21st day in groups E and L. The total number of newly formed vessels increased on the 21st day and was higher in both treatments when compared to C. The birefringent collagen fibers detected on the 21st day was lower in groups E and L than group C. The glycosaminoglycans and hydroxyproline amount was similar among groups throughout the experimental period. The active isoform of matrixmetallo proteinase (MMP)-2 and the latent isoform of MMP-9 did not show any differences among all groups and experimental periods. The amount of collagen Ⅰ presented higher values in the L group on the 14th day and in the E and L groups on the 21st day. For type III collagen, groups E and L presented values lower than C in all experimental periods. The amount of transforming growth factor-ß1 in the E and L groups showed higher amounts than C on the 7th day and lower on the 14th and 21st days. For vascular endothelial growth factor, E and L groups presented similar and lower values than C on the 7th and 14th days, respectively, and similar on the 21st day. CONCLUSION: The therapies evaluated in this article stimulated fibroblast proliferation, neoangiogenesis and altered the reorganization of collagen fibers in the repair of excisional injuries in female adult rats.

Acupuncture and moxibustion stimulate fibroblast proliferation and neoangiogenesis during tissue repair of experimental excisional injuries in adult female Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on the repair of excisional skin injuries on the back of adult female Wistar rats. METHODS: 90 animals were divided into three groups: C, control; A, acupuncture treatment (needled at traditional acupuncture points BL13, BL17 and ST36); M, moxibustion treatment (overlying same traditional acupuncture points). They were euthanased on days 7, 14 and 21 after injury for removal and preparation of tissue for analysis. RESULTS: The treated groups (A and M) showed no changes regarding the structural analysis relative to the control (C) group. The total number of fibroblast cells in the A and M groups were significantly higher than those in the C group on days 14 and 21. The number of granulocytes was significantly less in the A and M groups compared with the C group on days 14 and 21. The total number of newly formed vessels increased on day 21 and was significantly higher in the A and M groups. The amount of birefringent collagen fibre detected on day 21 was significantly higher in the C group. The amount of glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline was similar between the groups. The amount of collagen I did not differ between the groups in any period, despite the increased amount detected over time. The amount of type III collagen did not differ between the groups but the detected amount decreased over the course of the experiment. The amount of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the A and M rats was similar but inferior to C rats across all experimental periods. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture and moxibustion stimulated fibroblast proliferation and neoangiogenesis, and extended the period of collagen fibre reorganisation in the repair of excisional injuries in adult female rats.