METHODS: Thirty six rats were divided into three groups; Group I (negative control): tongues were left without ulceration and received no treatment, Group II (positive control): tongue defects were prepared on the tongues\' dorsal surfaces, measuring (5 mm × 2 mm) using a tissue punch rotary drill for standardization, and left untreated, Group III (EPO group): tongue defects were prepared as in group II, then injected circumferentially around wound margins with a single high dose of EPO hydrogel of 5000 U/kg on the day of defect preparation. Animals were euthanized on seventh and fourteenth days after treatment, tongue specimens were collected, and paraffin blocks were prepared and processed for histological assessment by hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemical evaluation of anti-iNOS and anti-VEGF followed by histomorphometrical analysis and the relevant statistical tests.
RESULTS: At both time points, the EPO treated group showed significantly enhanced tissue regeneration marked by the histologically better regenerated tissue with well developed, thick walled and well-organized blood vessels and significant reduction in defect depth compared to positive control group. EPO group also showed significant decrease in iNOS and significant increase in VEGF antibodies indicating its anti-inflammatory and neovascularization effects respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: EPO treatment can significantly accelerate regeneration and filling of tongue defects by reducing tissue inflammation and enhancing neovascularization. Therefore, EPO could be a potential therapeutic strategy for accelerating healing of tongue ulcers. However, further investigations are required to optimize the dose and unravel any potential side effects before its clinical application.
方法:36只大鼠分为3组:Ⅰ组(阴性对照):舌无溃疡,不处理,第二组(阳性对照):舌缺损在舌背表面制备,测量(5毫米×2毫米)使用组织穿孔旋转钻进行标准化,并未经治疗,第III组(EPO组):舌缺损与第II组一样制备,然后在缺损准备当天在伤口边缘周围注射5000U/kg的单次高剂量EPO水凝胶。动物在治疗后第7天和第14天安乐死,采集舌头标本,制备和处理石蜡块,通过苏木精和伊红染色进行组织学评估,并对抗iNOS和抗VEGF进行免疫组织化学评估,然后进行组织形态计量学分析和相关统计测试。
结果:在两个时间点,EPO治疗组表现出显著增强的组织再生,表现为组织学上更好的再生组织,与阳性对照组相比,厚壁和组织良好的血管和缺损深度显着减少。EPO组还显示iNOS的显著降低和VEGF抗体的显著增加,分别表明其抗炎和新血管形成作用。
结论:EPO治疗可以通过减少组织炎症和增强新生血管形成来显著加速舌缺损的再生和填充。因此,EPO可能是加速舌头溃疡愈合的潜在治疗策略。然而,在临床应用之前,需要进一步研究以优化剂量并消除任何潜在的副作用。