Background: Therapeutic ultrasound (US) is a promising physical therapy modality for peripheral nerve regeneration. However, it is necessary to identify the most effective US parameters and clarify the underlying mechanisms before its clinical application. The intensity of US is one of the most important parameters. However, the optimum intensity for the promotion of peripheral nerve regeneration has yet to be determined.
Objectives: To identify the optimum intensity of US necessary for the promotion of peripheral nerve regeneration after crush injuries in rats and to clarify the underlying mechanisms of US by mRNA expression analysis.
Methods: We inflicted sciatic nerve crush injuries on adult Lewis rats and performed ultrasound irradiation using 4 different US intensities: 0 (sham stimulation), 30, 140, and 250 mW/cm2 with frequency (5 days/week) and duration (5 min/day). We evaluated peripheral nerve regeneration by quantitative real-time PCR one week after injury. Histomorphometric analyses and motor function analysis were evaluated 3 weeks after injury.
Results: US stimulation enhanced re-myelination as well as sprouting of axons, especially at an intensity of 140 mW/cm2. mRNA expression revealed that US suppressed the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-6 and the axonal growth inhibitors SEMA3A and GSK3β.
Conclusions: An intensity of 140 mW/cm2 was optimal to support regeneration of the sciatic nerve after a crush injury in rats by, in part, the suppression of pro-inflammatory and nerve growth inhibitor gene expression.