title: High voltage pulsed current in collagen realignment, synthesis, and angiogenesis after Achilles tendon partial rupture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the efficacy of high voltage pulsed current in collagen realignment and synthesis and in angiogenesis after the partial rupturing of the Achilles tendon in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups of 10 animals each: sham, cathodic stimulation, anodic stimulation, and alternating stimulation. Their Achilles tendons were submitted to direct trauma by a free-falling metal bar. Then, the treatment was administered for six consecutive days after the injury. In the simulation group, the electrodes were positioned on the animal, but the device remained off for 30 minutes. The other groups used a frequency of 120 pps, sensory threshold, and the corresponding polarity. On the seventh day, the tendons were removed and sent for histological slide preparation for birefringence and Picrosirius Red analysis and for blood vessel quantification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was observed among the groups regarding collagen realignment (types I or III collagen) or quantity of blood vessels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High voltage pulsed current for six consecutive days was not effective in collagen realignment, synthesis, or angiogenesis after the partial rupturing of the Achilles tendon in rats.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirurgia Plástica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Érika P
authors.initials: ÉP
authors.lastname: Rampazo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Liebano
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências do Movimento Humano, UNIFESP, Santos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pinfildi
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirurgia Plástica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberta A C
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Folha
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirurgia Plástica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lydia M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012421:Rupture / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen