A New Approach to Testing the Effect of Ultrasound on Tissue Growth and Differentiation

Abstract

Pulsed ultrasound from a Picker Ultrasonoscopy Model 102, with a frequency of 500 Hz and an energy of 2.2 MHz was applied to the amputated left forelimbs of 24 adult newts. Exposure time was 5 min in half of the animals and 10 min in the remainder. The right forelimbs of these newts were also amputated at the same time, at the same anatomical level, and by the same operator as the left forelimbs, but were not exposed to sonication. Regeneration of both forelimbs was compared and found to be generally slower in the ultrasonicated limb. In 75 % there was a definite retardation of growth. The results suggest that the growth of rapidly proliferating embryonic tissue (newt regenerates are formed from embryonic cells in the stump) is inhibited by ultrasonication.

Current perspectives on therapeutic ultrasound in the management of chronic wounds: a review of evidence

“…In vitro studies have demonstrated growth retardation of cells 13 that are exposed to therapeutic ultrasound along with increased protein synthesis 14,15 and cell membrane alterations. 16,17 These cellular effects are seen with both continuous and pulsed ultrasound at therapeutic levels ranging from 0.1 to 1.7 W/cm 2 .…”

Effect of ultrasound on development. Part 1: Introduction and studies in inframammalian species. Report of the bioeffects committee of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

“…Regeneration of newt limbs after amputation is a common system for study of embryologic mechanisms associated with cellular movement and differentiation. Pizzarello et al 26 attempted to use this system to evaluate the effects of ultrasound on these measures. They performed bilateral amputation of newt forelimbs, and exposed one stump to unstated intensities of pulsed (2 MHz, 500-Hz prf) ultrasound for 5 or 10 minutes using a commercial diagnostic instrument.…”

Measurements of Common Iliac Arterial Blood Flow in Anurans Using Doppler Ultrasound

“…Correspondence should be directed to Scott Willens. sound has been used to determine the retardant effects of ultrasound on regeneration of amputated forelimbs of adult newts (Triturus sp). 2,12 The objective of this study was to establish normal values for blood flow in vessels responsible for the perfusion of the pelvic limb of anurans. This was a first step in developing a system to investigate the pharmacokinetics of environmentally important xenobiotic compounds.…”