A Standardized Murine Model of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Induced Soft Tissue Regeneration

Summary

This article describes a standardized murine model of tissue regeneration via shockwave treatment.

Abstract

Shockwave therapy (SWT) shows promising regenerative effects in several different tissues. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Angiogenesis, a process of new blood vessel formation is a leading driver of regeneration in softer tissues as well as a recently discovered effect of SWT. How the mechanical stimulus of SWT induces angiogenesis and regeneration and which pathways are involved is not fully understood. To further improve the clinical use of SWT and gain valuable information about how mechanical stimulation can affect tissue and tissue regeneration, a standardized model of SWT is needed. We, hereby, describe a standardized, easy to implement murine model of shockwave therapy induced regeneration, utilizing the hind-limb ischemia model.

Introduction

Shockwave therapy (SWT) was first introduced in clinical practice as a means of disintegrating kidney stones via extracorporeal application. In the 1990´s, an incidental finding of iliac crest thickening in X-ray recordings following repeated lithotripsy revealed a bone morphogenic effect of SWT¹. This prompted a surge of new applications in orthopedic use. SWT, thereby evolved into an acknowledged treatment option for, long bone non-unions, lateral epicondylitis, as well as achilles tendonitis^2,3,4,5. Recent evi....

Protocol

The experiments were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee at Innsbruck Medical University and by the Austrian ministry of science (BMWF-66.011/0110-V/3b/2019).

1. Induction of anesthesia and operational set-up

1. Prepare a suitable environment for animal procedures: sterilize equipment, disinfect surfaces, make use of disposable masks, isolation gowns and gloves.
2. Sedate a 18-12-weeks old mouse (strain and sex depending on the experimental setting) in a.......

Discussion

Shockwave treatment shows promising results in several soft tissue regeneration settings. However, to further augment, improve or isolate these regenerative capability's, first the basics of SWT induced regeneration should be uncovered on a molecular level. Tissue regeneration is complex and involves many biological processes including, innate and acquired immunity, inflammation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, cellular differentiation, angiogenesis and others^17,

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
10% Povidone
5-0 Nylon suture	Ethicon Inc.
7-0 silk suture	Ethicon Inc.
Cautery	Martin	ME-102
depilatory cream	Nivea
Gauze	Gazin
Heating Plate
Ketamine hydrochloride			anesthesia
Laser Doppler	Moor instruments
Surgical Tools	Fine Science Tools
Xylazine hydrochloride			anesthesia