Effects of microcurrent stimulation on Hyaline cartilage repair in immature male rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, we investigate the effects of microcurrent stimulation on the repair process of xiphoid cartilage in 45-days-old rats.MethodsTwenty male rats were divided into a control group and a treated group. A 3-mm defect was then created with a punch in anesthetized animals. In the treated group, animals were submitted to daily applications of a biphasic square pulse microgalvanic continuous electrical current during 5 min. In each application, it was used a frequency of 0.3 Hz and intensity of 20 μA. The animals were sacrificed at 7, 21 and 35 days after injury for structural analysis.ResultsBasophilia increased gradually in control animals during the experimental period. In treated animals, newly formed cartilage was observed on days 21 and 35. No statistically significant differences in birefringent collagen fibers were seen between groups at any of the time points. Treated animals presented a statistically larger number of chondroblasts. Calcification points were observed in treated animals on day 35. Ultrastructural analysis revealed differences in cell and matrix characteristics between the two groups. Chondrocyte-like cells were seen in control animals only after 35 days, whereas they were present in treated animals as early as by day 21. The number of cuprolinic blue-stained proteoglycans was statistically higher in treated animals on days 21 and 35.ConclusionWe conclude that microcurrent stimulation accelerates the cartilage repair in non-articular site from prepuberal animals.

Exercise-induced piezoelectric stimulation for cartilage regeneration in rabbits

“…Electrical fields have been reported to stimulate aggrecan (ACAN) and type-II collagen (COL2A1) mRNA expression and increased proteoglycan and collagen production in human OA cartilage explants (17). Direct current has been used to stimulate cartilage repair (18), and biphasic currents have been shown to repair hyaline cartilage (19) in male rats. Because bioelectrical signals are ubiquitous inside the body, ES can be considered a source for promoting tissue regeneration (20)(21)(22).…”

“…However, current devices used for ES by either direct current contact or capacitive coupling have limitations, such as high infection rates, the potential for a painful implant, and the stresses associated with operative procedures ( 23 ), rendering the electrical stimulator impractical for clinical use ( 24 ). Externally generated electromagnetic fields used as noninvasive stimulators in the knee joint are drastically attenuated ( 19 , 25 , 26 ). Devices directly implanted inside the joint avoid the problem of tissue absorption.…”

Electrical stimulation enhances tissue reorganization during orthodontic tooth movement in rats

“…The application of electric fields and continuous currents similar to those generated physiologically by the organism can modify cell behavior [14] and induce changes in the skin [15], cartilage [16,17], tendons [18,19], and bone [20,21]. Changes also occur in the transport of ions across cell membranes, as well as in the migration of leukocytes, macrophages, and keratinocytes and in the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, chondrocytes, and fibroblasts [22][23][24].…”

Articular Cartilage Regeneration: An Update of Possible Treatment Approaches

“…As well, the application of appropriately timed biophysical stimuli when engineering neocartilage [7] , and one less well studied related topic, examining upstream factors that can be harnessed to protect articular cartilage may help to avert progressive cartilage deterioration and degradation, and/or to produce functional cartilage. As well, the possible use of multiple, rather than single therapeutic strategies to attenuate the disease process [15] , including joint protection efforts in the face of attempts to stimulate neocartilage might prove especially helpful, as might careful mechanical or electrical stimulation of the affected osteoarthritic joint or both [102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112] .…”

“…4. Efforts to examine and integrate promising physical modalities into the cartilage repair paradigm, such as laser light applications, ultrasound, pulsed electromagnetic fields, electrical stimulation, active and passive exercises [102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115] .…”