Effect of electrical stimulation and stem cells on experimentally induced peripheral nerve injury in rats

Abstract

Objective This work aimed to study the effect of low intensity electrical stimulation and Mesenchymal stem cells transplantation on repair of sciatic nerve crush injury. Background Injury of peripheral nerves results in temporary or life-long neuronal dysfunction that can subsequently lead to economic or social disability. Despite early diagnosis and use of modern surgical techniques, functional recovery can never reach the pre-injury level. Several alternate approaches have been proposed to get beneficial effects on peripheral nerve regeneration, including application of electric field, transplantation of stem cells, and administration of neurotrophic factors. Materials and Methods 48 albino rats weighing 180:250 gm were used in this study. Rats were divided into four equal groups (12 rats each): Sham surgery group: sciatic nerve was exposed but not crushed. Injured sciatic nerve control group: sciatic nerve was exposed and crushed. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation group: Sciatic nerve injury was done, followed by Transplantation of (3 ΄ 10 5 cells/rat) mesenchymal stem cells intra-lesion immediately after injury. Electrical stimulation (ES) group: sciatic nerve injury was followed by electrical stimulation for 30 minutes. All procedures were followed by wound closure and post-surgical care. Serum malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity were estimated 48 hours after injury then electrophysiological studies were measured 8 weeks after injury. Results Treatment with either ES or MSCs transplantation could accelerate and promote sciatic nerve functional regeneration over 8 weeks. Conclusion We concluded that both ES and MSCs transplantation improve peripheral nerve functional regeneration following crush nerve injury. Such effect makes those treatments beneficial for accelerating and giving better outcome of peripheral nerve functional regeneration.