Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Prompts Both Functional and Histologic Improvements While Upregulating the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression after Sciatic Crush Injury in Rats

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2021 Jun;47(6):1586-1595. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2021.02.009. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) at an intensity of 140 mW/cm2 promotes functional and histologic improvements in sciatic nerve crush injury in a rat model and to investigate changes over time in relevant growth factors and receptors, exploring the mechanism of LIPUS in the recovery process after injury. Toe angle in the toe-off phase, regenerative axonal length, myelinated nerve fiber density, diameter of myelinated nerve fiber, axon diameter and myelin sheath thickness were significantly higher in the LIPUS group than in the sham group. Gene and protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was upregulated in the LIPUS group. In conclusion, LIPUS contributed to rapid functional and histologic improvement and upregulated BDNF expression after sciatic nerve crush injury in rats.

Keywords: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Changes over time; Functional improvement; Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound; Peripheral nerve regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / biosynthesis*
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics*
  • Crush Injuries / metabolism*
  • Crush Injuries / radiotherapy
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew
  • Sciatic Nerve / anatomy & histology
  • Sciatic Nerve / injuries*
  • Sciatic Nerve / metabolism*
  • Sciatic Nerve / radiation effects
  • Ultrasonic Waves*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Bdnf protein, rat
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor