OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and preliminary mechanisms of icariin (ICA) in enhancing the reparative effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on skin radiation damagies in rats. METHODS: Twelve SPF-grade Sprague Dawley rats [body weight (220±10) g] were subjected to a single dose of 10 Gy X-ray irradiation on a 1.5 cm×1.5 cm area of their dorsal skin, with a dose rate of 200 cGy/min to make skin radiation damage model. After successful modelling, the rats were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=3), and on day 2, the corresponding cells were injected subcutaneously into the irradiated wounds: group A received 0.1 mL of rat ADSCs (1×10 ⁷cells/mL), group B received 0.1 mL of rat ADSCs (1×10 ⁷cells/mL)+1 μmol/L ICA (0.1 mL), group C received 0.1 mL of rat ADSCs (1×10 ⁷cells/mL) pretreated with a hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) inhibitor+1 μmol/L ICA (0.1 mL), and group D received 0.1 mL of rat ADSCs (1×10 ⁷cells/mL) pretreated with a Notch1 inhibitor+1 μmol/L ICA (0.1 mL). All treatments were administered as single doses. The skin injury in the irradiated areas of the rats was observed continuously from day 1 to day 7 after modelling. On day 28, the rats were sacrificed, and skin tissues from the irradiated areas were harvested for histological examination (HE staining and Masson staining) to assess the repair status and for quantitative collagen content detection. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect CD31 expression, while Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to measure the protein and mRNA relative expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), interleukin 10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), HIF-2α, and Notch1, 2, and 3. RESULTS: All groups exhibited skin ulcers and redness after irradiation. On day 3, exudation of tissue fluid was observed in all groups. On day 7, group B showed significantly smaller skin injury areas compared to the other 3 groups. On day 28, histological examination revealed that the epidermis was thickened and the dermal fibers were slightly disordered with occasional inflammatory cell aggregation in group A. In group B, the epidermis appeared more normal, the dermal fibers were more orderly, and there was an increase in new blood vessels without significant inflammatory cell aggregation. In contrast, groups C and D showed significantly increased epidermal thickness, disordered and disrupted dermal fibers. Group B had higher collagen fiber content than the other 3 groups, and group D had lower content than group A, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that group B had significantly higher CD31 expression than the other 3 groups, while groups C and D had lower expression than group A, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Western blot and qRT-PCR results indicated that group B had significantly higher relative expression levels of VEGF, PDGF-BB, FGF-2, IL-10, TGF-β, HIF-2α, and Notch1, 2, and 3 proteins and mRNAs compared to the other 3 groups ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION ICA may enhance the reparative effects of ADSCs on rat skin radiation damage by promoting angiogenesis and reducing inflammatory responses through the HIF-2α-VEGF-Notch signaling pathway.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin/pathology* ; Rats ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics* ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Adipose Tissue/cytology* ; Stem Cells/cytology* ; Receptors, Notch/metabolism* ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental/metabolism* ; Wound Healing/drug effects* ; Male

With the continuous advancement of deep space exploration missions, maintaining astronaut skin health has become a critical medical issue affecting the safety and effectiveness of long-duration missions. Deep space environmental stressors, including microgravity, ionizing radiation, lunar dust exposure, and microbiome dysbiosis, can synergistically disrupt the skin barrier structure, leading to immune homeostasis imbalance and impaired wound healing. In recent years, research on skin protection in deep space has gradually evolved into a systematic "multi-dimensional integrated protective" framework. From the engineering protection perspective, optimization of multi-layer composite spacesuit structures, the use of hydrogen-rich and boron-containing shielding materials, as well as cabin temperature-humidity regulation and debris-resistant technologies, have greatly enhanced environmental defense capacity. From the biomedical protection perspective, functional hydrogels, antimicrobial dressings, and active compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine have demonstrated remarkable potential in repairing the skin barrier, modulating immunity, and providing antioxidant defense. Meanwhile, the development of skin microecological interventions and wearable physiological monitoring systems has fostered a trend toward personalized health management. Future research should focus on elucidating the interactive mechanisms among the space environment, skin, and immune barrier, while exploring intelligent monitoring and nanotechnology-based protection strategies. Establishing a predictive and preventive skin health safeguarding system will provide comprehensive medical support for future deep space missions.
Humans ; Astronauts ; Skin/radiation effects* ; Space Flight ; Weightlessness/adverse effects* ; Wound Healing ; Extraterrestrial Environment

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of low-energy semiconductor laser treatment on the promotion of wound healing after maxillofacial fracture surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. Patients with maxillofacial fractures who were hospitalized in the Department of Trauma and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, from August 2021 to June 2023 were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was treated with a low-energy semiconductor laser once a day for six consecutive days after daily routine dressing change on the first day after surgery. The control group only underwent routine dressing change treatment and did not receive low-energy semiconductor laser treatment. Wound healing times, wound healing conditions, modified Stony Brook scar evaluation scale (mSBSES) scores, pain indices, and wound infection rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients were included in this study. A total of 104 and 107 cases comprised the experimental and control groups, respectively. A total of 128 males and 83 females were included. After low-energy semiconductor laser treatment, the facial skin wound healing time of the experimental group was found to be significantly shorter than that of the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the wound grade A healing rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group on the seventh day after surgery (P<0.05). Among postoperative facial skin wound evaluation indices, the mSBSES scores of the experimental group at all observation points were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05), and the scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group in terms of wound width reduction, height reduction, color lightening, and incision line loss (P<0.05). In postoperative wound pain evaluation, the pain index of the experimental group after low-energy semiconductor laser treatment was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference in wound infection rates was found between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS For facial skin wounds in maxillofacial fracture surgery, low-energy semiconductor laser treatment can effectively promote wound healing, improve wound healing quality, fade scars, and relieve wound pain.
Humans ; Wound Healing/radiation effects* ; Male ; Female ; Lasers, Semiconductor/therapeutic use* ; Prospective Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; Maxillofacial Injuries/surgery* ; Young Adult

Objective: Owing to antibiotic abuse and the subsequent development of antibiotic resistance, bacterial infection has become one of the most persistent unresolved problems. New antibacterial agents, especially those that are environmental-friendly, are urgently needed. Methods: Melanin extracted by filtration centrifugation and acid and proteolytic hydrolysis was characterized using UV, FTIR, TEM, and XPS. Photothermal conversion was calculated, and the bacteriostatic effects, and , were assessed by plate counting and ratios (%) of wound areas. Results: Natural melanin hydrolyzed by trypsin had good photothermal conversion effects, which resulted in superior bacteriostatic activities. The extracted melanin along with laser NIR irradiation at 808 nm promoted the healing of wounds infected by drug-resistant bacteria and was biocompatible according to toxicity tests and . Conclusion The present findings indicated a safe and efficient method of developing natural antibacterial agents.
Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Escherichia coli Infections ; drug therapy ; Melanins ; pharmacology ; Mytilus edulis ; chemistry ; Photochemical Processes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Staphylococcal Infections ; drug therapy ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUNDMicrofracture is a type of bone marrow stimulation in arthroscopic cartilage repair. However, the overall concentration of the mesenchymal stem cells is quite low and declines with age, and in the end the lesion is filled by fibrocartilage. The aim of this research was to investigate a novel method of enhancing microfracture by determining whether low-energy shock waves in microfracture holes would facilitate cartilage repair in a rabbit model.

METHODSFull-thickness cartilage defects were created at the medial femoral condyle of 36 mature New Zealand white rabbits without penetrating subchondral bone. The rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. In experimental group A, low-energy shock-wave therapy was performed in microfracture holes (diameter, 1 mm) at an energy flux density (EFD) of 0.095 mJ/mm² and 200 impulses by DolorClast Master (Electro Medical Systems SA, Switzerland) microprobe (diameter, 0.8 mm). In experimental group B, microfracture was performed alone. The untreated rabbits served as a control group. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the operations, repair tissues at the defects were analyzed stereologically, histologically, and immunohistochemically.

RESULTSThe defects were filled gradually with repair tissues in experimental groups A and B, and no repair tissues had formed in the control group at 12 weeks. Repair tissues in experimental group A contained more chondrocytes, proteoglycans, and collagen type II than those in experimental group B. In experimental group B, fibrous tissues had formed at the defects at 8 and 12 weeks. Histological analysis of experimental group A showed a better Wakitani score (P < 0.05) than in experimental group B at 8 and 12 weeks after the operation.

CONCLUSIONSIn the repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defects in rabbits, low-energy shock waves in microfracture holes facilitated the production of hyaline-like cartilage repair tissues more than microfracture alone. This model demonstrates a new method of improving microfracture and applying shock waves in vivo. However, longer-term outcomes require further study.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; injuries ; radiation effects ; Female ; Male ; Rabbits ; Radiation, Nonionizing ; Random Allocation ; Wound Healing ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of static magnetic field on deep wound healing of SD rats and VEGF during the wound healing and different strength static magnetic field on deep wound healing of SD rats.

METHODSDivided forty-eight SD rats into three groups: 0.16 T magnetic disk treatment (0.16 T group), 0.32 T magnetic disk treatment (0.32 T group), control group. General wounds healing situation was observated on the 3, 6, 9, 12 day. The area of every wound was calculated. The tissue of granulation was dyeing by immune tissue chemical decoration method, in which VEGF protein content with its range in tissue was measured.

RESULTSThe healing index of 0.16 T magnetic group wounds were larger than that of control group on 6th and 9th day, there were statistical difference. The healing index of 0.32 T magnetic group wounds were larger than that of control group on 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th day, there were statistical difference. The healing index of 0.32 T group wounds contrasted to that of 0.16 T group wounds had no statistical significance. Observation of VEGF at the course of wound healing:the expressing of VEGF in magnetic group wounds on 3rd and 6th was stronger than in control group wounds, there were statistical difference. While there were no obvious difference between them on 9th and 12th day (P>0.05). But the contrast between that in 0.32 T group and in 0.16 T group had no statistical difference. The expressing strength of VEGF in magnetic group reached the peak amplitude on the 6th day, and that in control group reached peak amplitude on 9th day. And the peak amplitude of magnetic group was stronger than that of control group.

CONCLUSIONStatic magnetic disc of 0.16T and 0.32 T can promote deep wound of SD rats heal. The mechanism of static magnetic field promoting wound heal may be relative to the expressing highly of VEGF during early and middle time.

Animals ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Skin ; radiation effects ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wound Healing ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yangyin Humo Decoction (YHD) on oral mucomembranous reaction in patients with head-neck tumor undergoing radiotherapy.

METHODSForty-Forty-two patients with head-neck tumor undergoing radiotherapy were randomized equally into two groups. The two conventional Western medical treatment was administered to all, including intravenous dripping of 2% lidocaine 20 mL, dexamethasone 5 mg, gentamycin 80,000 units, vitamin B(12) 5 mg, dissolved in saline 250 mL, and 5% sodium bicarbonate solution for gargling, but to the patients in the tested group, YHD was given additionally. The medication was started simultaneously all through the whole course of the radiotherapy. Patients were examined every day to observe and compare the degree, initiating time, and repairing time of their oral lesions; the dosage of radiation they received was recorded as well.

RESULTSThe degree of mucomembranous reaction that appeared in most patients in the test group was of grade 1-2, while in the control group, it was grade 2-3. The average time for oral lesion of 1, 2, 3 grades to be initiated in the test group was 12.0+/-1.1, 11.0+/-1.3 and 10.0+/-0.8 days, respectively, after radiation started, which was later than that in the control group (P<0.01). Moreover, the average repairing time for the lesions of grades 1, 2, and 3 in the test group was 3.0+/-0.7, 10.0+/-1.3 and 19.0+/-0.8 days, which were shorter than those in the control group respectively (P<0.01). The radiation applied on the primary tumor of patients with oral lesion of grade 1-3 in the test group was 24.2+/-2.2, 42.0+/-2.6 and 58.0+/-1.6 Gy on the average, respectively, which were higher than that applied on patients in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe Chinese herbal preparation YHD could alleviate oral mucomembranous reaction to radiation applied in patients with head-neck tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; drug effects ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Radiation Injuries ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Time Factors ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic expression of platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF-A) and its receptor alpha (PDGFR-alpha) in different acute radiation-induced skin ulcers, and to explore the underlying mechanism involved in retarded healing of the ulcer.

METHODSThe model of acute radiation-induced skin ulcers in rats was replicated with 50 Gy 60Co gamma rays to the skin (radiation group, R, n = 55), rats with full - thickness skin excision wounds as control group (T, n = 55), and 5 normal rats to serve as normal control (NC) group. The expression of PDGF-A and PDGFR-alpha protein and PDGF-A mRNA was respectively assessed by means of histochemistry and in situ RT-PCR.

RESULTSNo PDGF-A expression was identified in the rat skin in NC group. The expression of PDGF-A and PDGFR were reduced in R group during inflammatory responsive and granulation formation periods (14 - 28 days after radiation, the IA value of PDGF-A varied from 14.0 +/- 1.2 to 20.3 +/- 1.2 compared with that in T group in which the IA value of PDGF-A at the same period (3 - 9 days after injury) varied from 20.0 +/- 1.6 to 28.3 +/- 1.0, and reduced gradually during scar formation period (55 days after radiation).

CONCLUSIONThe reduction of PDGF-A and PDGFR-expression may be partially involved in the mechanism of retarded healing of acute radiation-induced skin ulcers.

Animals ; Female ; Gamma Rays ; adverse effects ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; complications ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; biosynthesis ; Skin Ulcer ; etiology ; metabolism ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dosages of total body irradiation on the healing process of cutaneous wounds and to observe the changes of wound area at different periods after injury.

METHODSThe entire body irradiation from a (60)Co gamma-ray source was performed on Wistar rats. The single dosage varied from 1 to 8 Gy. Within 1 h after irradiation, two whole thickness circular cutaneous wounds corresponding to 2.5% of total body surface area (Phi = 22 mm) were produced on the back of the animals (combined injury groups). Same wounds were produced on rats with no irradiation (single wound group). Wound healing was observed at different points after injury.

RESULTSAfter total body irradiation with the dose of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 Gy, the wound healing was obviously retarded as the dosages increased. The wound area remained was larger in the large dosage groups than in the small dosage groups. Seven days after injury, there was 33.5% wound surface left unhealed in the single wound group, whereas in the combined injury groups, 35.4%, 38.1%, 41.6%, 48.8%, 53.9%, 63.7%, 69.2% and 73.9% of the wound surfaces remained unhealed, respectively. Statistical analysis showed marked correlations between the various times after total body irradiation and various dosages to the percentage of unhealed wound surface. Nine dose-effect relation formulae were deduced according to the statistical results.

CONCLUSIONSIn soft tissue trauma combined with radiation injury, the delay of wound healing is related to the dose of radiation inflicted. It is also related to the time between injury and time of observation.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Time Factors ; Whole-Body Irradiation ; Wound Healing ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 proteins, and apoptosis in radiation compound wound healing of rats.

METHODSApoptosis, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were estimated by in situ terminal labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTS(1) Changes of the apoptosis in wound healing showed three typical characteristics: early occurrence, high frequency and delayed disappearance after radiation to rats when compared with those of simple wound group, which might be an important reason for radiation-induced delayed wound healing. (2) The expression of Bax protein increased evidently with the increment of apoptosis and showed a good corresponding relationship with the apoptotic frequency in the process of wound healing. While the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased obviously as the apoptosis reached a maximum and showed increasing tendency up to normal level when the apoptosis decreased distinctively.

CONCLUSIONSBax and Bcl-2 proteins play an important role in the apoptotic regulation of radiation compound wound healing in rats.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Female ; Gamma Rays ; Immunohistochemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Wound Healing ; genetics ; radiation effects ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein