Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound reduces lymphedema by regulating macrophage polarization and enhancing microcirculation.

ABSTRACT: Background: Conventional therapies reduce lymphedema but do not cure it because they cannot modulate the pathophysiology of secondary lymphedema. Lymphedema is characterized by inflammation. We hypothesized that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment could reduce lymphedema by enhancing anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization and microcirculation. Methods: The rat tail secondary lymphedema model was established through the surgical ligation of lymphatic vessels. The rats were randomly divided into the normal, lymphedema, and LIPUS treatment groups. The LIPUS treatment (3 min daily) was applied 3 days after establishing the model. The total treatment period was 28 days. Swelling, fibro adipose deposition, and inflammation of the rat tail were evaluated by HE stain

SUBMITTER: Liu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10198614 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature