The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high voltage pulsed current stimulation (HVPCS) on the healing rate of a dermal wound in a rat. We also determined the mechanism of promoting healing by HVPCS. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats ...
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high voltage pulsed current stimulation (HVPCS) on the healing rate of a dermal wound in a rat. We also determined the mechanism of promoting healing by HVPCS. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two group; HVPCS group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The HVPCS rats received electrical stimulation with a current intensity of 50 V at 100 pps for a duration of 30 minutes, while the control group was given the same treatment without electricity for a week. The biopsy specimens were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin and stained with Masson's trichrome, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The fibroblasts and collagen density were counted using a light microscope and computerized image analysis system and calculated as the density and the percent. A Student t-test showed a significantly higher wound healing rate of the HVPCS group than control (t=-4.161, p<0.001). The fibroblasts in the HVPCS group were higher than in the control group (t=-4.921, p<0.001). The density of collagen in the HVPCS group was also higher than in the control group (t=-4.367, p<0.001). These results indicate that the HVPCS accelerated the rate of healing in dermal wound, and increased fibroblasts and collagen density in the regenerative dermis. These findings suggest that the HVPCS may activate fibroblasts by alteration of the electrical environment, and it may increase collagen synthesis in the regenerative dermal wound.