The histological changes attributed to intermittent negative pressure on mice skin

Abstract

Background: Modern applications of negative pressure in healthcare include wound therapy, assisted child delivery, sleep apnea, and liposuction.Studies in negative pressure effects in the skin are scarce but promising. Objectives: To study the changes that could occur to the skin and subcutaneous tissue after exposure to two weeks period of intermittent negative pressure, using the albino mice as a model. Study design: Experimental animal study. Materials and methods: Ten albino mice were subjected to two sessions/day of intermittent negative pressure (INP) for two weeks. The tested skin areas were then excised for histology examination and compared with a control patches from the same mice. Skin biopsies were stained with H&E (Harris Hematoxilin), Mayer's Hematoxilin, and Masson's trichrome stain. The slides were reviewed by pathologists and photographed. Results: The test slides showed marked loss of sebaceous glands and hair follicles, increased condensation of collagen, inflammatory features in the form of white blood cells infiltrations and edematous patches. Conclusion: Applying INP to the skin of albino mice results in the reduction of sebaceous glands and hair follicles, and evident signs of inflammatory changes.