ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of ultrashortwave(USW)diathermy and rotating magnetic(RM)field therapy on the brain following transient focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats. Methods Fifty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, an ischemia and a reperfusion control group, a USW treatment group and a RM treatment group. Focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion were induced by intraluminal filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Each brain was removed at 24 h after the reperfusion and water content, cerebral infarct volume and histological expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were observed. Results When USW treatment was started at 18 h after reperfusion, decreased infarct volume and water content were observed, but RM treatment did not show this relationship. Both USW and RM were associated with increased expression of Bcl-2 protein and decreased the expression of Bax protein. Conclusions USW treatment is beneficial in focal cerebral ischemia. RM′s effect is uncertain. Any effect is through reducing apoptosis.