Abstract: We evaluated the effect of sensory (direct current
(DC), 600μA) and motor (monophasic current, pulse duration 300μs,
100 Hz, 2.5-3mA) intensities of cathodal electrical stimulation (ES)
current to release VEGF and biomechanical properties of wound. 54
male Sprague-dawley rats were randomly assigned into one control
and two experimental groups. A full thickness skin incision was
made on animals- dorsal region. The experimental groups received
ES for 1h/day and every other day. VEGF expression was measured
in skin on the 7th day after surgical incision and tensile strength was
measured on 21st day. On the 7th day, the values of skin VEGF in the
sensory group were significantly greater than those of the other
groups (p < 0.05). Sensory and Motor intensity stimulation, can not
improve the biomechanical properties of the repaired wounds.
It seems the mechanical environment induced by sensory and
motor intensity of electrical stimulation, could not simulate the role
of normal daily stress and strain to maturation of collagen fibers and
their cross links. Further work is needed to determine the relationship
between VEGF expression after ES and its effect on tensile strength
of healed wound.