Effect of hydrogen-rich normal saline on wound repair in rats with stage 3 pressure injury

doi:10.11958/20260964

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective To observe the effect of topical application of hydrogen-rich normal saline on wound repair in rats with stage 3 pressure injury. Methods Thirty-six SPF-grade male SD rats were selected to establish a stage 3 pressure injury model (among which 4 rats were used to evaluate successful modeling). Rats were then randomly divided into the control group and the intervention group, with 16 rats in each group. The control group received debridement with normal saline, while the intervention group received debridement with hydrogen-rich normal saline (with hydrogen content ≥ 2 mg/L), both twice daily. Wound healing rate was observed on the 0th, 3th, 7th, 10 and 14 days of intervention. On the day 3, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)，interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured. On days 7 and 14, wound tissue samples were collected for HE staining. Masson staining and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate tissue pathology, collagen deposition and cell proliferation. Results Compared with the control group, the wound healing rate was significantly higher on days 3, 7, 10 and 14 in the intervention group (P<0.05). On days 3 of intervention, serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased, while VEGF level was increased (P<0.05) in the intervention group. HE and Masson staining showed the wound healing quality was better in the intervention group, and the collagen volume fraction was higher on days 7 and 14 than those in the control group (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that the percentage of Ki-67 positive cells on days 7 was significantly increased in the intervention group than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Topical application of hydrogen-rich normal saline can promote wound healing in stage 3 pressure injury, and the mechanism may be associated with alleviating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, as well as promoting collagen synthesis and cell proliferation.

Key words: reperfusion injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, pressure injury, hydrogen-rich saline, wound repair

CLC Number:

R318.01

Figures/Tables 8

Tab.1 Comparison of wound healing rates at different time points between two groups of rats （n=4，%，$\bar{x}±s$）

组别	第3天	第7天	第10天	第14天
对照组	23.85±3.87	40.13±6.17	65.07±5.31	81.54±1.70
干预组	36.98±3.29	67.28±6.97	78.15±3.67	90.69±3.73
t	5.205^＊＊	5.893^＊＊	3.992^＊＊	4.654^＊＊

Fig.1 Wound healing status at different time points in two groups of rats

Tab.2 Comparison of systemic inflammatory factors TNF-α，IL-6 and VEGF between two groups of rats （n=4，ng/L，$\bar{x}±s$）

组别	TNF-α	IL-6	VEGF
对照组	20.33±2.23	48.70±8.74	41.43±2.06
干预组	13.76±0.69	23.94±5.50	61.60±3.87
t	5.405^＊＊	4.925^＊＊	8.960^＊＊

Fig.2 HE staining of wound tissue at different time points in two groups of rats (×100)

Tab.3 Comparison of CVF in wound tissue at different time points between two groups of rats （n=4，%，$\bar{x}±s$）

组别	第7天	第14天
对照组	33.92±2.65	54.92±9.24
干预组	48.84±6.66	75.31±8.19
t	4.009^＊	3.206^＊

Fig.3 Masson staining of wound tissue at different time points in two groups of rats (×100)

Tab.4 Comparison of Ki-67 positive cell ratio in wound tissue at different time points between two groups of rats （n=4，%，$\bar{x}±s$）

组别	第7天	第14天
对照组	28.16±1.70	22.72±2.84
干预组	34.57±3.88	25.87±4.02
t	2.966^＊	1.241

Fig.4 Immunohistochemical Ki-67 staining of wound tissue at different time points in two groups of rats (×200)

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