Effect of high voltage pulsed electrical stimulation on microvascular permeability to plasma proteins. A possible mechanism in minimizing edema.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether high voltage pulsed electrical stimulation reduces microvascular permeability to plasma proteins in a simulation of acute edema. Fourteen male golden hamsters were anesthetized and prepared for fluorescence microscopy of the cheek pouch. Intravenous fluorescein-labeled dextran (MW 150,000) served as a tracer of plasma proteins. Protein leaks from the microvessels were quantified every 5 minutes for a 25-minute baseline period and again after a 5-minute superfusion with 10(-5)-M histamine. High voltage stimulation (HVS) was applied simultaneously with the histamine to the vascular bed of the treatment animals in a dosage of 10, 30, or 50 V; the control animals received no electrical stimulation. Histamine increased microvessel leakiness in all groups, but the number of posthistamine microvessel leaks was significantly less in animals that received a 30- or 50-V dose of HVS than in the control animals or those that received a 10-V dose. The study results suggest that at intensities greater than a threshold dose, HVS reduces microvessel leakiness. Reduced microvessel leakiness may be one mechanism by which HVS retards edema formation.
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003911:Dextrans; D004487:Edema / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005452:Fluoresceins; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence
D001798:Blood Proteins; D003911:Dextrans; D005452:Fluoresceins; D006632:Histamine