Objective: To evaluate the effect of polyethylene oxide (PEO) on the blood perfusion of chronic ischemic hindlimbs in rats by contrast acoustic imaging technology.
Method: Twelve Wistar rats were ligated one femoral artery to establish a chronic hindlimb ischemia model, and then the rats were randomly divided into experimental group and control group (n = 6). PEO was injected through the internal jugular vein every other day and treated with saline for 2 weeks. The blood flow of the ischemic hindlimb skeletal muscle of rats was measured at different time points by contrast enhancement test, and the reserve blood flow was measured on the 28th day.
Results: From the 7th day, the blood flow of the ischemic hindlimb skeletal muscle in the PEO group was higher than that of the control group (P\u003c0.05). On the 28th day, the blood flow reserve and vascular volume of the skeletal muscle of the ischemic hindlimb were significant in the PEO group. Higher than the control group (P\u003c0.05).
Conclusion: PEO significantly increases the blood flow reserve and blood flow of the skeletal muscle of the chronic hindlimb ischemia model rat, and increases the blood vessel volume of the skeletal muscle of the chronic ischemic hindlimb. This indicates that PEO can promote angiogenesis by increasing the shear force of blood flow. Arteriogenesis can improve blood perfusion in ischemic hind limbs.