Investigation of the effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation on wound healing in an incision wound model in rats

The wound healing process is highly complex, and rapid healing is desired through the application of appropriate treatment and care procedures. Today, in addition to pharmacological treatments, several non-pharmacological methods are also used to promote the healing of incisional wounds, particularly those created during surgical operations. One of these non-pharmacological methods is low-frequency electrical stimulation, which facilitates rapid and complication-free healing by inducing a series of reactions in the wound area. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different low-frequency electrical stimulation levels (10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 30 Hz) on wound healing in an incisional wound model. A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus), weighing 150–200 g, were used in the study. The rats were randomly divided into five groups of eight: Control group, Povidone-Iodine group, ES-10 group, ES-20 group, and ES-30 group. After creating a 3 cm full-thickness incision on the dorsal scapular region of all rats and suturing it, no intervention was performed in the Control group. The Povidone-Iodine group received daily povidone-iodine application on the wound area. For the ES-10, ES-20, and ES-30 groups, electrical stimulation was applied using an ES device starting 3 hours after incision and suturing on day 1, and at the same time daily for 5 consecutive days. Wound monitoring was performed using daily photography. On day 6, all rats were sacrificed. Intracardiac blood and wound tissue samples were collected for histopathological and biochemical analyses. At the cellular level, no significant differences were observed in fibroblast density, re-epithelialization, or vascularization, whereas significant differences were found in inflammation, particularly in the ES-20 and ES-30 groups. Regarding oxidative stress biomarkers, significant differences were found in malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) parameters when comparing all ES frequencies (ES-10, ES-20, ES-30) with the Control and Povidone-Iodine groups, while no significant differences were observed for Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP). ELISA test results showed significant differences in TNF-α, Fibulin-1, and Fibulin-3 levels in all ES-applied groups compared with the Control and Povidone-Iodine groups. Blood serum analysis revealed significant differences in platelet, neutrophil, total protein, and albumin levels between ES groups and both comparison groups, whereas erythrocyte, leukocyte, histamine and CRP levels showed no significant differences. In conclusion, based on histopathological and biochemical findings, low-frequency electrical stimulation in incisional wounds may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby accelerating the wound healing process.