Effects of microwave heating on systemic and local infiltrating lymphocytes in patients with chronic limb lymphedema.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the characteristics of lymphocyte phenotypes in systemic and local skin and to evaluate the effects of microwave heating and bandaging treatment on chronic limb lymphedema.

METHODS

Totally 27 patients with lymphedema and 10 normal subjects were examined with alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) and avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) immunohistochemistry for the observation of systemic lymphocyte phenotypes and inflammatory cell infiltration of skin tissues.

RESULTS

In the peripheral blood of patients with chronic limb lymphedema, the number of CD4 T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4/CD8 decreased, while the number of CD8 T lymphocytes increased. Obvious dermal perivascular infiltration of T lymphocytes was also observed. After two courses of microwave heating and bandaging treatment, the number of CD4 T lymphocytes augmented and the decreased CD4/CD8 ratio returned to normal, and the number of CD8 T lymphocytes reduced. The perivascular T lymphocyte infiltration in the dermis resolved and the number of macrophages elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

Microwave heating and bandaging treatment can regulate the imbalance of systemic and local immunity in patients with chronic lymphedema.