Electrical Stimulation Induces the Collagen Deposition and TGF-1 mRNA Expression in Skin Wound of Rat

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation (ES) on the wound closure rate, collagen deposition, and TGF-${\beta}$1 mRNA expression in skin wound of rat. Methods: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats (222~271 g) were randomly divided into ES (n=10) and control group (n=10). The ES group received a cathodal stimulation with 50 V at 100 pps for 30 minutes for 7 days, while the control group was not given electrical stimulation. The wound closure rate, collagen density and TGF-${\beta}$1 mRNA ratio were measured. Results: The mean wound closure rates in the ES and control groups were $83.79{\pm}16.35$% and $51.57{\pm}17.76$%, respectively (p<0.001). The collagen density in the ES and control groups were $46.67{\pm}10.68$% and $25.03{\pm}13.09$%, respectively (p<0.001). The TGF-${\beta}$1 mRNA ratio in the ES and control groups were $1.35{\pm}0.60$ and $0.63{\pm}0.30$, respectively at 6 hours post-wound (p<0.01) and $1.69{\pm}0.47$ and $1.32{\pm}0.28$, respectively, at 7 days post-wound (p<0.05). Conclusions: ES accelerated the wound closure rate of skin incision wounds and was accompanied by an increase in collagen deposition in the regenerating dermis. In addition, ES increased TGF-${\beta}$1 mRNA expression during wound healing process. These findings suggest that ES may activate TGF-${\beta}$1 expression, and may increase synthesis activities of fibroblasts in regenerating skin wounds in rats.