Article
High- and low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation delay sciatic nerve regeneration after crush lesion in the mouse
Registro en:
BAPTISTA, A. F. et al. High- and low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation delay sciatic nerve regeneration after crush lesion in the mouse. Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, v. 13, n. 1, p. 71-80, 2008.
1085-9489
Autor
Baptista, Abrahão Fontes
Gomes, Joyce R. S
Oliveira, Juliana Teixeira
Santos, Soraia M. G.
Santos, Marcos André Vannier dos
Martinez, Ana Maria Blanco
Resumen
The stimulation of peripheral nerve regeneration has been studied in different
ways, including the use of electrical fields. The capacity of this modality to enhance nerve
regeneration is influenced by the parameters used, including current type, frequency,
intensity, and means of administration. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
is a frequently used form of administering electrical current to the body, but its effects on
peripheral nerve regeneration are not known. This study assessed the influence of TENS
on sciatic nerve regeneration, using a model of crush lesion in the mouse. Mice were
stimulated 30 min a day, 5 days a week, for 5 weeks with both high- (100 Hz) and low- (4
Hz) frequency TENS. Control animals had the sciatic nerve crushed but were not stimulated.
Assessment was performed weekly by functional analysis using the Static Sciatic
Index for the mouse and at the end of the experiment by light and electron microscopy.
The results showed that although there were no differences between the groups regarding
the Static Sciatic Index values, TENS led to nerves with morphological signs of
impaired regeneration. At light microscopy level, TENS nerves presented more axons with
dark axoplasm, signs of edema, and a less organized cytoarchitecture. Electronmicrographs
showed fewer and thinner thick myelinated fibers and increased number of
Schwann cell nuclei. Myelinated axon diameters and density and diameter of nonmyelinated
fibers were not affected by TENS, leading to the conclusion that this regimen of electrical
stimulation leads to a delayed regeneration after a crush lesion of the sciatic nerve in
the mouse. All these effects were more pronounced on high-frequency TENS nerves.