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Intermittent pneumatic compression enhances neurovascular ingrowth and tissue proliferation during connective tissue healing: A study in the rat
Author(s) -
Dahl Johan,
Li Jian,
Bring Daniel K.I.,
Renström Per,
Ackermann Paul W.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.20390
Subject(s) - calcitonin gene related peptide , neurovascular bundle , connective tissue , angiogenesis , fibroblast , wound healing , intermittent pneumatic compression , tendon , medicine , endocrinology , regeneration (biology) , neuropeptide , anatomy , chemistry , pathology , surgery , biology , thrombosis , microbiology and biotechnology , deep vein , in vitro , biochemistry , receptor
Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is a treatment method to decrease venous stasis and stimulate blood flow. Recently, it was hypothesized that IPC may exert positive effects on tissue healing, a process highly dependent upon adequate circulation. In this study, we investigated the effects of daily 1‐h IPC treatment during 2 and 4 weeks post–rat Achilles tendon rupture. The tendons were subjectively and semiquantitatively analyzed for collagen organization, fibroblast density, angiogenesis, and the occurrence of sensory neuropeptides, substance P (SP) and calcitonine gene related peptide (CGRP), as well as for a nerve regeneration marker, growth associated protein 43 (GAP‐43). After 2 weeks of treatment, fibroblast density increased by 53% ( p = 0.0004), vessel density by 64% ( p = 0.022), and the occurrence of SP by 110% ( p = 0.047) and CGRP by 47% ( p = 0.0163) compared to untreated controls. Following 4 weeks of treatment, both the occurrence of sensory neuropeptides and the vessel density remained significantly higher ( p < 0.05), whereas fibroblast density returned to normal. However, at 4 weeks the treated tendons displayed a higher degree of organized parallel collagen fibers, a sign of increased maturation. Daily IPC treatment improves neurovascular ingrowth and fibroblast proliferation in the healing tendon and may accelerate the repair process. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1185–1192, 2007