Low‑frequency pulsed electromagnetic field promotes functional recovery, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and enhances HSP70 expression following spinal cord injury

MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS, 2019 · DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.9820 · Published: January 1, 2019

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (LPEMFs) to aid recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). LPEMFs were administered to rats with SCI to observe changes in inflammation, oxidative stress, and levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The study found that LPEMFs significantly improved functional recovery after SCI. This was evidenced by increased scores on the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scale, which measures locomotor activity. Further investigation revealed that LPEMFs helped to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, while also increasing the expression of HSP70. These findings suggest that LPEMFs could be a beneficial non-invasive treatment for SCI.

Study Duration

14 days

Participants

60 adult female Wistar rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
LPEMFs significantly promoted functional recovery following spinal cord injury, as demonstrated by an increased Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score.
2
LPEMFs decreased the expression of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor‑α, interleukin‑1β and nuclear factor‑κB.
3
LPEMFs exposure reduced the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and reactive oxygen species, and upregulated the expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase.

Research Summary

The study investigates the effect of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (LPEMFs) on spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats, focusing on inflammation, oxidative stress, and HSP70 levels. Results showed that LPEMFs promoted functional recovery post-SCI, reduced inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB), decreased oxidative stress markers (iNOS, ROS), and increased antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase). LPEMFs also enhanced HSP70 expression in spinal cord-injured rats, suggesting a potential mechanism involving the modulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and HSP70 in promoting functional recovery after SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

LPEMFs may offer a non-invasive therapeutic approach for early SCI treatment by promoting functional recovery and reducing secondary injury effects.

Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Reduction

LPEMF treatment can alleviate the inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress induced by SCI by modulating key inflammatory factors and oxidative stress markers.

HSP70 Activation

The study suggests that LPEMFs' protective effects may be associated with the activation of HSP70, providing a target for further mechanistic investigations.

Study Limitations

1
Inflammation was only detected at 14 dpi. It will be necessary to use other time points to validate these results.
2
The causal association between HSP70 and inflammation/oxidative stress requires further investigation.
3
To the best of our knowledge, the current study was first administration of LPEMFs in a contusion SCI model

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