title: The parameters of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation are critical to its regenerative effects when applied just after a sciatic crush lesion in mice.
abstract: We investigated the effect of two frequencies of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied immediately after lesion on peripheral nerve regeneration after a mouse sciatic crush injury. The animals were anesthetized and subjected to crushing of the right sciatic nerve and then separated into three groups: nontreated, Low-TENS (4 Hz), and High-TENS (100 Hz). The animals of Low- and High-TENS groups were stimulated for 2 h immediately after the surgical procedure, while the nontreated group was only positioned for the same period. After five weeks the animals were euthanized, and the nerves dissected bilaterally for histological and histomorphometric analysis. Histological assessment by light and electron microscopy showed that High-TENS and nontreated nerves had a similar profile, with extensive signs of degeneration. Conversely, Low-TENS led to increased regeneration, displaying histological aspects similar to control nerves. High-TENS also led to decreased density of fibers in the range of 6-12 μm diameter and decreased fiber diameter and myelin area in the range of 0-2 μm diameter. These findings suggest that High-TENS applied just after a peripheral nerve crush may be deleterious for regeneration, whereas Low-TENS may increase nerve regeneration capacity.
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduation Program in Medicine and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Augusto Viana, Canela, 40110-060 Salvador, BA, Brazil ; Functional Electrostimulation Laboratory, Department of Biomorphology, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/N, Vale do Canela, 40110-902 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8216-9755
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cavalcante Miranda de Assis
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduation Program in Medicine and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Augusto Viana, Canela, 40110-060 Salvador, BA, Brazil ; Functional Electrostimulation Laboratory, Department of Biomorphology, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/N, Vale do Canela, 40110-902 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Êmyle
authors.initials: Ê
authors.lastname: Martins Lima
authors.affiliation: Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rua Waldemar Falcão, Candea, INCT-INPeTAm/MCT-CNPq, 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil ; Biotechnology and Bioprospection Nucleus (NBBio), Bahian School of Medicine and Human Health, Rua Frei Henrique, 8 Nazaré, 40.050-420 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Teixeira Goes
authors.affiliation: Physiology and Synaptic Plasticity Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zugaib Cavalcanti
authors.affiliation: Functional Electrostimulation Laboratory, Department of Biomorphology, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/N, Vale do Canela, 40110-902 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alaí
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8396-8775
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbosa Paixão
authors.affiliation: Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rua Waldemar Falcão, Candea, INCT-INPeTAm/MCT-CNPq, 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil ; IBCCF, Cidade Universitária, Avenida Pedro Calmon, 21941-901 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos André
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vannier-Santos
authors.affiliation: Neuroregeneration and Repair Laboratory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro-UFRJ, Avenida Pedro Calmon, Cidade Universitária, 21941-901 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Maria Blanco
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduation Program in Medicine and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Augusto Viana, Canela, 40110-060 Salvador, BA, Brazil ; Functional Electrostimulation Laboratory, Department of Biomorphology, Federal University of Bahia, Avenida Reitor Miguel Calmon, S/N, Vale do Canela, 40110-902 Salvador, BA, Brazil ; Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rua Waldemar Falcão, Candea, INCT-INPeTAm/MCT-CNPq, 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Abrahão Fontes
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Baptista
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051379:Mice; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology; D009409:Nerve Crush / Q000379:methods; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods