Regeneration of the x-ray irradiated gastrocnemius muscle in old rats after stimulation

In the present study the implantation of nonexposed muscle tissue to the site of injury in irradiated musculus gastrocnemius and following laser therapy were applied in order to stimulate this muscle's posttraumatic regeneration in old rats. It was shown that a far larger amount of functionally active muscle tissue was formed at the site of injury compared with rats received laser therapy alone or the ones which were only implanted nonexposed minced muscle tissue. The muscle tissue consisted of muscle fibers which originated from the grafted pieces of nonexposed skeletal muscle and the ones produced by myofibers of muscle stumps recovered after irradiation. The connective tissue developed more evenly. The formation of adipose tissue was not observed at the site of injury. Moreover, the skin wound healing and the hair growth were stimulated as well.