Abstract
<p><strong>Background and Objective:</strong> Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and less invasive technique that uses an electric current to damage nerve tissue to stop it from sending pain signals. This study was aimed to determine the molecular mechanism of neuropathologic damage induced by radiofrequency ablation at different temperatures.</p>
 <p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 36 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used as model with neuropathological injury. These rats were divided into 6 groups based on temperature stimulation at 42℃, 47℃, 52℃, 57℃, 62℃ and 67℃. Conduction time, distance and velocity were recorded after thermal injury. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of sciatic nerve. Neural ion channel proteins such as Sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 9 (SCN9A), Sodium channel B3 subunit (SCN3B) and Neurofascin (NFASC) expression &nbsp;in sciatic nerve tissue was &nbsp;detected by Western Blot.</p>
 <p><strong>Results:</strong> Nerve conduction velocity gradually decreased with the increase in temperature and neuronal damage was seen at 67℃. H&amp; E staining showed increased degeneration of neurons with an increase in temperature from 47℃ to 67℃. SCN9A and SCN3B expression at 57℃, 62℃, and 67℃ was much higher however, NFASC expression was lower at the same temperatures.</p>
 <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Neuropathological damage caused by RFA at different temperatures shows&nbsp; &nbsp;positive correlation with nerve conduction velocity. Heat transfer injury affects the expression of SCN9A, SCN3B and NFASC in sciatic nerve tissue.</p>
Highlights
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive technique being developed in recent years
Rat anti human primary antibodies sodium voltagegated channel alpha subunit 9 (SCN9A), sodium channel B3 subunit (SCN3B), neurofascin (NFASC) (1:500), horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled sheep anti-rat secondary antibody (1:5, 000), and Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining kit were purchased from Beyotime Biotechnology, China
The conduction time was noted as 0.27 ± 0.12, 0.32 ± 0.14, and 0.37 ± 0.11 ms, in controls and at 42°C and 47°C, respectively
Summary
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive technique being developed in recent years. The main principle behind the thermal ablation is the constant vibration of ions in the tissues under the action of the current of the radiofrequency electrode, resulting in friction, and increasing the temperature around the tissues.[1] Thermal effect induced by RFA increases the temperature of tissue as the radio frequency current flows through it. After reaching a certain temperature, the water inside and outside the cell evaporates, and denatures cell protein to achieve the purpose of treatment.[2] Radiofrequency refers to the electromagnetic waves with a certain range frequency. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe and less invasive technique that uses an electric current to damage nerve tissue to stop it from sending pain signals. This study was aimed to determine the molecular mechanism of neuropathologic damage induced by RFA at different temperatures
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