Effect of Peripheral Nerve Electrical Stimulation on Axon Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of peripheral nerve electrical stimulation on axon regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods Nighty-two healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank control group (n=12), control group (n=40) and experimental group (n=40). All groups were suffered NYU impaction to prepare T8 SCI models, the control group and the experimental group implanted stimulating electrode on the sciatica nerve. The experimental group received electric intervention in addition. They were evaluated with BBB score one day, one week, two weeks, four weeks and eight weeks after modeling; and with motor evoked potentials (MEP) one week, two weeks, four weeks and eight weeks after modeling. Morphological changes and the expression of neurofilament pro-tein (NF)-200 and glial fibers acid protein (GFAP) were observed by HE staining and immunohistochemistry one week, two weeks, four weeks and eight weeks after modeling. Results There was no significant difference in BBB scores among three groups (P>0.05) in all the time points except eight weeks (P0.05), however, there was significant difference two weeks, four weeks and eight weeks after modeling (P0.05), but was different two weeks, four weeks and eight weeks after modeling (P0.05). Conclusion Implantable peripheral nerve electrical stimulation can improve conduction function and motor function in rats with SCI. And it may promote axonal regeneration of the injured segments.