Synergistic effects of ultrashortwave electrical stimulation and nerve growth factor in treating sciatic nerve injury

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of ultrashortwave (USW) diathermy and electrical stimulation (ES) used in combination with nerve growth factor (NGF) in the treatment of experimental sciatic nerve injury.Methods Sixty adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, an NGF group,a physiotherapy group and a combined treatment group. A model of sciatic nerve injury was established in the latter four groups. Beginning on the 2nd day after the operation, no treatment was given in the model group, NGF was injected in the NGF group, diathermy and ES were administrated to rats in the physiotherapy group, and the combined treatment group was treated with USW diathermy, EW and NGF. Function, electrophysiology and morphology were evaluated at the 2nd, 7th, 14th and 30th days after the operation Results The average sciatic nerve function index (SFI), nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and nerve regeneration in the NGF, physiotherapy and combined treatment groups were significantly better than in the model group, with those in the combined treatment group improved to the greatest extent. At the 30th day there was no significant difference between the combined treatment group and the normal control group in terms of SFI, NCV, axon regeneration or myelin sheath thickness. The number of myelinated nerve fibers and the average axon diameter in the combined treatment group and normal control group were significantly higher than those in the model, NGF or physiotherapy group. Conclusions With NGF injection, additional application of USW diathermy and ES may significantly enhance the regeneration of the sciatic nerve and aid functional recovery after injury. Key words: Sciatic nerve injury;  Ultrashortwave diathermy;  Electrical stimulation;  Nerve growth factor