Electric stimulation enhances recovery of motor function in spinal cord contused rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of nerve electric stimulation on spinal cord contused rats and to explore the appropriate mechanism. Methods Rats were divided into sham group, control group and experimental group. T9 rat spinal cord contusion(SCC) model was developed by Allen's method. Experimental group was treated with nerve electric stimulation. After neurobehavioral score assessment, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect nerve growth factor and nestin. Results After spinal cord injury, score of rats gradually increased,and compared with control group, the experimental group significant increased(P＜0.05) at d 7. The nerve growth factor and nestin expression of experimental group, up-regulated significantly (P＜0.05). Conclusions Nerve electric stimulation may create a microenvironment conducive to neural survival and differentiation, which facilites the recovery of hindlimb motor function in rats.

Keywords

• spinal cord injury|nerve electrical stimulation|nerve growth factor|nestin