Dr. Daijiro Haba, RPT, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow in Global Nursing Research Center
In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of local low-frequency vibration (LLFV) on wound healing in hyperglycemic rats with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). We hypothesized that LLFV could improve glycometabolism and reduce inflammation, thereby promoting vasodilation and angiogenesis in diabetic wounds. Using hyperglycemic rats, we applied LLFV to wounds at different voltage levels for 40 minutes per day over a two-week period. The results showed that LLFV at 600 and 1,000 mVpp led to significantly smaller wound areas on specific post-wounding days. There were also changes in the expression of genes related to glycometabolism and inflammation, with some upregulated and others downregulated in response to LLFV. Furthermore, LLFV at 1,000 mVpp resulted in increased expression of genes associated with vasodilation and angiogenesis on day 4, and these effects were more pronounced on day 14. Additionally, LLFV reduced the M1/M2 macrophage ratio, indicating a shift in the inflammatory response. As LLFV is non-invasive, it is a promising strategy for the clinical treatment of DFUs. The findings of this study suggest that LLFV has a positive impact on wound healing in hyperglycemic conditions by improving glycometabolism and reducing inflammation, ultimately enhancing vasodilation and angiogenesis in diabetic wounds.
Access the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.14072