Effects of Electrical Stimulus on Bone Properties in Rats with Sciatic Denervation / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of electrical stimulus on bone properties in rats with sciatic denervation. Forty-eight Wistar rats aged 8 week-old were used and divided into 4 groups, randomly. One group was sham-operated (SHAM) as a control, and the sciatic nerves of the lateral hind limbs were cut in the remaining 3 groups (DN). Two groups of DN rats received electrical stimulus at both hind limbs to induce planter flexion for 15 min, 2 sets/day, 5 days/week, at 15 or 60 Hz. The rats in each group were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the operation. All tibias were measured by three-pointed bending test, and bone mechanical strength was calculated. Also, the dry bone weight and ash content of the bones were measured. A reduction of all bone properties in DN was shown from a week after operation onwards and that in DN+15 Hz from two weeks after operation onwards. Bone properties in DN+60 Hz were decreased in order of maximum load, ash content, mechanical strength, and dry bone weight from two weeks after operation onwards. These results suggest that electrical stimulus can delay the progression of bone atrophy, and that high frequency stimulation (60 Hz) is more effective than low frequency stimulation (15 Hz) in this regard.