Effects of lipo-prostaglandin E1on wound bed microcirculation

Objective:Lipo-prostaglandin E1(lipo-PGE1) is a well-known potent vasodilator that increases peripheral blood flow. However, the effects of this agent on wound bed microcirculation still remain unclear. The present study aims to improve the experimental model which our group developed to visualise wound bed microcirculation and to evaluate acute stimulation by lipo-PGE1.Method:The superficial stratum of the Wistar rat's ear skin was microsurgically excised preserving the subdermal vascular plexus. The preserved vessels, the wound bed microcirculation, were visualised under an intravital microscope-video-computer system. Animals were divided into three groups, a control group in which animals received vehicle control, a medium-dose group (6μg/2ml/kg lipo-PGE1) and a high-dose group (10μg/2ml/kg lipo-PGE1). The blood velocity and diameter of individual venules were measured from the recorded microcirculatory images, and the blood flow of the venule in the wound bed was evaluated.Results:A significant increase in the wound bed blood flow was seen 10 minutes after lipo-PGE1injection (p<0.05). This was approximately fourfold the baseline values. The increase was greatest in the medium-dose group. Extravasation and accumulation of lipo-PGE1in the wound bed was observed.Conclusion:Lipo-PGE1effectively increased wound bed microcirculation blood flow at the optimal dose.