Low intensity pulsed ultrasound exposure increases prostaglandin E_2 release in human dermal fibroblasts

Though ultrasound is applied to the treatment of pressure ulcers, there was little evidence of benefit associated with the use of it in the treatment of pressure ulcers. Therefore, in order to augment the therapeutic evidence of ultrasound exposure in wound healing, the effect of low intensity pulsed-ultrasound on the release of prostaglandin E_2 (PGE_2) in human dermal fibroblasts was investigated. Human dermal fibroblasts obtained from skin samples were exposed to a low intensity pulsed-ultrasound by specifically designed apparatus. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determined the release of PGE_2 in the medium. A low intensity pulsed-ultrasound increases the PGE_2 release of dermal fibroblasts in a time-de-pendent fashion. PGE_2 release by 30 mW/cm^2 ultrasound exposure reached maximum 1.24-fold at 1 hour. In terms of the intensities of ultrasound, the weaker intensity of ultrasound was exposed, the more effect of PGE_2 release was observed. Finally, a specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-1, resveratrol partly reduced PGE_2 release of dermal fibroblasts by ultrasound exposure. Thus, our results identify the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound to explain the potential mechanism by which it may augment the healing of skin ulcer. Further studies are required to ascertain the functional relevance of the production of PGE_2 in angiogenesis, which is required for the tissue development and regeneration