Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field with Predatory Stress on Functional and Histological Index of Injured-Sciatic Nerve in Rat

To assess the effect of combination of pulsed electromagnetic felds (PEMF) with predatory stress on
transected sciatic nerve regeneration in rats.
Methods: In sham- operated group (SOG) the nerve was manipulated and left intact. The 10-mm rat sciatic nerve
gap was created in rats. In transected group (Transected) nerve stumps were sutured to adjacent muscle and in
vein graft group (VG) the gap was bridged using an inside-out vein graft. In VG/PEMF group the transected
nerve was bridged using vein graft, phosphate buffered saline was administered into the graft and the whole
body was exposed to PEMF. In VG/PS group the transected nerve was bridged using vein graft, phosphate
buffered saline was administered into the graft and the rats underwent predatory stress (PS). In VG/PEMF/PS
group the transected nerve was bridged using vein graft, phosphate buffered saline was administered into the
graft, the whole body was exposed to PEMF and the rats underwent predatory stress. The regenerated nerve
fbers were studied within 12 weeks after surgery.
Results: Functional, gastrocnemius muscle mass fndings and morphometric indices confrmed faster recovery of
regenerated axons in VG/PEMF and VG/PEMF/PS groups compared to those in the other groups (p=0.001). The
whole body exposure to PEMF improved functional recovery. Predatory stress did not affect nerve regeneration
in the animals undergone predatory stress (p=0.343).
Conclusion: Pulsed electromagnetic felds could be considered as an effective, safe and tolerable treatment for
peripheral nerve repair in clinical practice.