Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation promotes wound healing in mice by modulating signaling molecules and mitochondria function

Abstract

Previous research has identified a variety of factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of wounds. Concurrently, electroacupuncture has been demonstrated to facilitate wound healing. However, the effects of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) on wound healing, as well as its relationship with key factors such as Wnt3a, TGF-β, Akt, c-Myc, VEGF-A, SP1, nitric oxide (NO), and mitochondrial function, remain largely unexplored. We hypothesize that TEA will activate the signaling factors and enhance mitochondrial functions to promote the repair of skin wounds in mice. An in vivo experimental study was conducted utilizing mouse models with skin wounds. The study comprised three groups: a TEA treatment with wound group, a skin wound model group, and a control group. Wound areas were measured by calculating the product of the length and width of each wound using calipers. Single-cell suspensions were prepared by excising the wound and the immediately surrounding tissue. These suspensions were stained with Trypan blue to assess cell viability, with specific probes to measure the rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) positivity, and with reagents to quantify NO content. Western blotting (WB) was employed to evaluate protein levels associated with tissue changes, while quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to assess RNA expression levels. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to visualize protein content and other relevant cellular structures within tissue sections. TEA exhibited anti-inflammatory properties and promoted wound healing in mice. Western blot analysis revealed that TEA enhanced the expression of proteins associated with Wnt3a, TGF-β, Akt, c-Myc, VEGF-A, and SP1 during the wound healing process. Immunofluorescence staining of tissue sections indicated that TEA upregulated the expression of COL1A1, MFN1, GRP75, GRP78, GRP75/ROS, GRP78/ROS, ISCU, and UCP1 while downregulating FIS1. Additionally, qPCR results demonstrated that TEA promoted the expression of IL-10 and miRNA205-5p while inhibiting MMP9 levels. TEA modulates various signaling molecules, influences chaperone proteins related to stress recovery responses, along with mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism.

Graphical abstract