Quantification of the effect of Lipo-PGE1 on angiogenesis

Abstract

Fifteen rabbits were used to assess the effect of Lipo-PGE1 on neovascularization. Merocel (R) and Alloderm (R) of the same size were implanted separately under the back skin to act as matrices for vessel growth. Lipo-PGE1 was injected intravenously for 2 weeks in an experimental group of eight rabbits, and they were compared with a control group of seven untreated animals. Blood flow was measured using the (TcO4-)-Tc-99m clearance technique. The mean blood clearance halftime (T-1/2) and washout radioactivity were measured. Newly formed vessels were counted by CD31. The mean clearance halftime was 4005 +/- 2161.3 and 13840 +/- 4644.6 s in the experimental and control group, respectively, in the 1 x 2 x 1.5-cm-sized implants (p=0.0125), and 1560 +/- 1174.7 and 3405 +/- 807.03 s, respectively, in the 2 x 2 x 1.5-cm-sized implants (p = 0.0413). Histological examinations revealed that the mean numbers of newly formed vessels in the experimental and control groups were 11 +/- 1.58 and 7.8 +/- 1.71, respectively, in the 1 x 2 x 1.5-cm-sized implants (p = 0.0501), and 20.19 +/- 12.47 and 12.33 +/- 3.25, respectively, in the 2 x 2 x 1.5-cm-sized implants (p = 0.02679). Lipo-PGE1 was found to be effective in promoting angiogenesis in a rabbit matrix model. (C) 2014 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.