Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound accelerates the regeneration of the sciatic nerve after neurotomy in rats.
The biophysical qualities of pulsed ultrasound (US) led us to appraise its effect on the regeneration of a peripheral nerve. In this study, our intention was to evaluate the effects of pulsed US on the axotomy of the sciatic nerve in rats. The proximal stump of the nerve was stimulated on 12 consecutive days with pulsed US and the effects of the sonication were evaluated through morphological and morphometric techniques. Our findings suggest that sonication leads to a rapid regeneration of the nerve after axotomisation. These affirmations are based on the counting of different types of fibre components in mixed nerves and the morphological recovery of the same in comparison with nerves of animals submitted to sham operation.
Crisci
Ana Rosa
AR
Department of Bioengineering, São Carlos Engineering School, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil. criscicozac@netsite.com.br
Ferreira
Affonso Luiz
AL
D000818:Animals; D019771:Axotomy; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D023421:Models, Animal; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed