Papel dos receptores β-adrenérgicos no reparo cutâneo de lesões crônicas em camundongos: modelo não invasivo de lesão por isquemia e reperfusão

Abstract

β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors are present in several cells that participate in tissue repair such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, inflammatory cells and endothelial cells. Several studies demonstrate that these receptors modulate cutaneous wound healing. However, neither study demonstrated if the blockade of theses receptors compromises the cutaneous wound healing of pressure ulcers. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of blockade of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors in wound healing of pressure ulcer in mice using a noninvasive model of lesion induced by ischemia and reperfusion. In this study, animals were also treated with propranolol (a nonselective antagonist of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors). Antagonism administration began one day before ischemia-reperfusion cycles and daily maintained until euthanasia. In order to develop a pressure ulcer, a shaved skin was placed between a pair of magnet disks. The period of magnet placement is characterized as ischemia period, whereas release period as reperfusion period. Two cycles of ischemia and reperfusion were performed, and after last cycle, two circular ulcers per animal were created in the animal dorsum. Animals were killed 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after wounding. After last ischemia cycle, blood flow of compressed area was nulled, 7 hours after compressed area underwent reperfusion during subsequent hours reaching blood flow 98% superior of normal skin. After 24 and 48 hours, blood flow of compressed area was again reduced when compared with normal skin. Blockade of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors increased the levels of lipid peroxydes 3 days after wounding, compromised keratinocyte migration leading to an increase epithelial proliferation and impairment in the re-epithelialization. The impairment in the neo-epidermis formation induced by β1- and β2-adrenergic receptor blockade delayed the necrotic tissue loss. Blockade of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors increased the inflammatory cell number (macrophages and neutrophils), protein levels of neutrophil elastase 3 days after wounding and reduced protein levels of MCP-1 3 days after wounding and protein levels of MMP-12 7 days after wounding. Blockade of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors increased cell proliferation and apoptosis in connective tissue 7 days after wounding and blood vessel density 14 and 21 days after wounding. Blockade of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors impaired myofibroblastic differentiation and reduced protein levels of TGF-β 1/2/3 3 days after wounding and lesion contraction. Twenty-one days after wounding, β1- and β2-adrenergic receptor blockade increased neo-epidermis thickness and tenascin-C-positive fibroblast number and reduced collagen deposition. In conclusion, blockade of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors delays cutaneous wound healing of pressure ulcers.