Continuous low amplitude direct current stimulation of the crushed peripheral nerve accelerates the early recovery of choline acetyltransferase but not of acetylcholinesterase activity in fast and slow muscles.

We investigated if continuous 1 µA direct current stimulation of the injured nerve, with the cathode electrode at the distal end of the nerve crush injury (cathode stimulation), accelerated the recovery of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in transiently denervated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) rat muscles. ChAT is a specific marker of cholinergic nerve terminals and may reflect axon ingrowth, and AChE reflects the re-establishment of neuromuscular junctions and recovery of muscle activity. Compared to sham operated animals, the cathode (CA) stimulated rats had a statistically significant larger ChAT activity in the EDL and SOL muscles on days 12 and 14 after nerve crush (P < 0.

Muscle force recovery after continuous direct current stimulation of a crushed nerve.

The purpose of this work was to examine whether, after sciatic axonotmesis, continuous low-amplitude direct current stimulation across the nerve crush lesion could affect the overall regeneration rate and shorten the time necessary to restore muscle force. Rats were randomly divided into cathode-stimulated (7 animals with a cathode stimulating electrode at the distal end of the nerve crush), anode-stimulated (6 animals with an anode stimulating electrode at the distal end of the nerve crush) and sham-treated (6 animals) groups. The recovery of muscle force was assessed by measuring the isometric tetanic contraction of the plantar flexor muscles once weekly, for five weeks in all groups.