title: Effects of lipo-prostaglandin E1 on wound bed microcirculation.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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 (6 μg/2 ml/kg lipo-PGE1) and a high-dose group (10 μg/2 ml/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-PGE1 injection (p<0.05). This was approximately fourfold the baseline values. The increase was greatest in the medium-dose group. Extravasation and accumulation of lipo-PGE1 in the wound bed was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lipo-PGE1 effectively increased wound bed microcirculation blood flow at the optimal dose.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is no conflict of interest.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Fraternity Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ichioka
mesh_terms: D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004423:Ear / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000293:injuries*; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D000527:Alprostadil
keywords: animal model; blood flow; lipo-prostaglandin E1; microcirculation; prostaglandin E1; wound healing