ALPHARETTA, Ga.–(BUSINESS
WIRE)–SANUWAVE Health, Inc. today announced the publication
of preclinical data demonstrating that the Companys Extracorporeal Shock Wave
Technology (ESWT) promoted fracture healing by eliciting the production of
specific growth factors (proteins) involved in angiogenesis (creation of new
blood vessels) and osteogenesis (creation of new bone).
Publication of the blinded study entitled, “VEGF Modulates
Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis in Shockwave-Promoted Fracture Healing in
Rabbits,” appeared in a recent issue of the Journal of Surgical Research.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in modulating
fracture healing and regeneration of other tissues, including cartilage and
skin. The study aimed to determine ESWTs affect on fracture healing when
applied to two groups – one having normal VEGF levels and the other having
suppressed VEGF levels. Both groups were compared to non-ESWT treated controls.
Visit http://www.journalofsurgicalresearch.com/article/S0022-4804(10)00095-8/abstract
to view an online abstract of the publication.
Summary of Key Study Findings
-
Bone mineral density at 8 weeks was significantly greater in normal specimens
treated with ESWT than controls (p=0.03), indicating callus (bony healing
tissue) formation at the fracture site. - Production of all angiogenic and osteogenic growth factors,
as well as quantities of bone and fibrous (connective) tissue formation, were
significantly increased versus controls (p<0.05) for normal specimens
treated with ESWT. - Suppressed VEGF specimens treated with ESWT maintained the
bone mineral density of controls, demonstrating beneficial effects of shock
wave in biologically compromised animals. - X-rays of normal specimens treated with ESWT showed
considerably better bone healing. - The authors concluded that ESWT significantly promoted bone
healing in fractures through VEGF-modulated angiogenic and osteogenic
mechanisms.
Discussing the study results, lead author Ching-Jen Wang, MD
of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, concluded, “It is
theorized that bone tissues convert physical stimulation from shock waves into
biological signals that positively influence fracture repair. There is a large
body of research reporting that ESWT-promoted bone healing is associated with
significant elevations of angiogenic and osteogenic growth factors. We showed
that in this study as well, but we also demonstrated that VEGF may play an
important role in modulating the processes of angiogenesis and osteogenesis.
This understanding of the molecular effects of ESWT can be used to further
optimize ESWT treatment for fracture healing in the clinical setting.”
Christopher M. Cashman, President and CEO of SANUWAVE, said,
“This research further defines the underlying science and biological mechanisms
of PACE® technology. As Dr. Wang and others have demonstrated in the past, our
proprietary ESWT technology positively and significantly affects the complex
processes involved in fracture repair, leading to improved bone healing. We
know from previous animal studies that PACE has a direct influence on VEGF
expression and angiogenesis in wound healing, so it is not surprising to learn
that similar biological effects are seen in fracture healing.”
Mr. Cashman concluded, “The biological effects of ESWT even
benefited animals whose VEGF expression was inhibited, suggesting a robust and
multifaceted mechanism of action of ESWT. This outcome, combined with improved
bone healing and remodeling of fractures treated with ESWT in this study,
strengthens our belief that PACE technology has the potential to be a
value-added part of the orthopedic surgeons available treatment options.”
About PACE
PACE, defined as Pulsed Acoustic Cellular Expression, delivers high-energy
acoustic pressure waves in the shock wave spectrum to produce compressive and
tensile stresses on cells and tissue structures which are designed to promote
angiogenic and positive inflammatory responses, and quickly initiate the
healing cascade. This is thought to result in microcirculatory improvement,
including increased perfusion and blood vessel widening (arteriogenesis), the
production of angiogenic growth factors, enhanced new blood vessel formation
(angiogenesis) and the subsequent regeneration of tissue such as skin,
musculoskeletal and vascular structures. PACE procedures trigger the initiation
of an accelerated inflammatory response that speeds wounds into proliferation
phases of healing and subsequently returns a chronic condition to an acute
condition to help reinitiate the bodys own healing response.
About SANUWAVE Health, Inc.
SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (www.sanuwave.com) is an emerging regenerative medicine
company focused on the development and commercialization of noninvasive,
biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of
tissue, musculoskeletal and vascular structures. SANUWAVEs portfolio of
products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic
responses, including new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement,
helping to restore the bodys normal healing processes and regeneration.
SANUWAVE intends to apply its PACE technology in wound healing, orthopedic/spine,
plastic/cosmetic and cardiac conditions. Its lead product candidate for the
global wound care market, dermaPACE®, is CE marked and has Canadian device
license approval for the treatment of the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue and
recently completed its pivotal Phase III, Investigational Device Exemption
(IDE) clinical trial in the U.S. for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
SANUWAVE researches, designs, manufactures, markets and services its products
worldwide, and believes it has demonstrated that its technology is safe and
effective in stimulating healing in chronic conditions of the foot (plantar
fasciitis) and the elbow (lateral epicondylitis) through its U.S. Class III PMA
approved Ossatron® device, as well as stimulating bone and chronic tendonitis
regeneration in the musculoskeletal environment through the utilization of its
Ossatron, Evotron™ and orthoPACE® devices in Europe.
Posted by Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief, MDT
