Treatment effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound on leukopenia induced by cyclophosphamide in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the effects of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on leukopenia induced by cyclophosphamide in a rabbit model. METHODS The leukopenia model in New Zealand rabbit was established by injecting cyclophosphamide into the ear vein. Forty leukopenia model rabbits were randomly allocated to control group (n = 20) and LIPUS group (n = 20). LIPUS group underwent 20 minutes of daily ultrasound treatment at femoral metaphysis for 7 days while control group received sham treatment. Diarrhea rate, mortality and blood cell count were calculated. IgA, IgG and IgM levels were measured by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to detect CD44, CD49d, and PU.1. HE staining was performed to analyze bone marrow hyperplasia and changes of skin and muscle. RESULTS LIPUS treatment significantly promoted the proliferation of bone marrow nucleated cells, increased the number of WBC, IgA, IgG and IgM in the peripheral blood, and reduced the diarrhea rate and mortality. The irradiated skin and muscle tissues showed no obvious damages. LIPUS treatment promoted the migration of hematopoietic cells to peripheral blood by decreasing the expression of CD49d and CD44 on the surface of CD34 positive cells. It also promoted the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into granulocytes and lymphocytes by decreasing the expression of PU.1. CONCLUSION LIPUS can be used as a safe and effective clinical treatment for cyclophosphamide induced leukopenia.