Effects of functional electric stimulation on motor function recovery and nerve regeneration of rats with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Objective To discuss the effect of functional electric stimulation (FES) on motor evoked potential(MEP),glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and muscle wet weight in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods Seventy-two adult male SD rats were chosen and randomly divided into 3 groups:sham-operated group,FES group and model group (n=24).T9 spinal cord complete injury animal models in the FES group and model group were induced by NYU blow.Rats in the FES group were performed FES at posterior thigh and rats in the model group only placed electrode without electricity.7,14,28 and 56 d after FES,potentiometer test was performed to detect the MEP latency; immunohistochemical staining was employed to detect the GFAP expression; and hind leg extensor muscle wet weight was measured.Results The MEP latency in the FES group was detected 14,28 and 56 d after FES,which was significantly longer than that in the sham-operated group (P＜0.05); the MEP latency in the FES group 28 and 56 d after FES was significantly shortened than that in the model group (P＜0.05).Muscle wet weight in the FES group 28 and 56 d after FES was significantly increased than that in the model group (P＜0.05).GFAP-positive cells in the FES group 28 and 56 d after FES were significantly decreased than those in the model group (P＜0.05).Conclusion FES in the treatment of spinal cord injury can not only inhibit the expression of GFAP and shorten MEP latency,but also inhibit paralyzed limb muscle atrophy and promote motor function recovery. Key words: Spinal cord injury; Functional electrical stimulation; Glial fibrillary acidic protein; Muscle wet weight; Motor evoked potential