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-β1 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.
Keywords: Electroacupuncture; Inflammation; Morphological and morphometric finding; Wound healing.