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[Effects of microwave baking on the immunological cells in primary lymphedema patients]
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200011.
Insights
Microwave therapy improves primary lymphedema by restoring T-lymphocyte balance and reducing inflammation. This treatment enhances immune cell function, leading to reduced swelling and improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Medical Physics
Context:
- Primary lymphedema is a chronic condition characterized by impaired lymphatic drainage and immune system dysregulation.
- Understanding the immunological changes in lymphedema is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Microwave therapy is a non-invasive modality with potential therapeutic applications.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of microwave therapy on immunological cells in patients with primary lower limb lymphedema.
- To analyze changes in T-lymphocyte subsets (CD4+ and CD8+) and their ratio in peripheral blood.
- To assess the effects on immune cell infiltration in the affected limb's skin.
Summary:
- Microwave therapy modulated peripheral blood T-lymphocytes, increasing CD4+ T-lymphocytes and decreasing CD8+ T-lymphocytes, thereby normalizing the CD4/CD8 ratio.
- Significant perivascular infiltration of mononuclear cells, primarily monocytes and macrophages, was observed in the affected limb's skin.
- The treatment reduced perivascular T-lymphocyte infiltration in the dermis and enhanced macrophage phagocytic activity.
Impact:
- Microwave therapy demonstrates potential in correcting systemic immunological imbalance in primary lymphedema.
- The treatment may resolve edema by reducing dermal inflammation and improving immune cell function.
- These findings suggest microwave therapy as a promising therapeutic option for managing primary lymphedema.
Objective:
To elucidate the effects of microwave on the immunological cells in primary lymphedema.
Methods:
The immunological cells including lymphocytes in the affected limb skin and peripheral blood of 10 patients with primary lower limb lymphedema were analysed using ABC and APAAP immunohistochemical methods before and after microwave baking and bandaging treatment.
Results:
It is demonstrated that in the peripheral blood of the patients there was an increase of CD8+ T lymphocytes as well as a decrease of CD4+ T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4/CD8. It was found that there was significant perivascular infiltration of mononuclear cells (most were monocytes and macrophages) in the skin of the affected limb.
Conclusion:
Microwave modulates the systemic immunological imbalance by its heating and complex biological effects on primary lymphedema patients through reversing the ratio of CD4/CD8 to normal level by increasing CD4+ T lymphocytes and decreasing CD8+ T lymphocytes. It can also decrease the perivascular T-lymphocyte infiltration of the affected dermis and enhance the phagocytic capabilities by promoting the proteolytic activities of macrophages, finally resulting in edema resolution.