Non-thermal plasma accelerates the healing process of peripheral nerve crush injury in rats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on the healing process of peripheral nerve crush injuries, which can occur during dental implant procedures. For this, a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury (SNCI) was adopted. The rats were divided into three groups: non-nerve damage (non-ND), nerve damage (ND), and ND+NTP group. To evaluate the sciatic nerve (SN) function, the static sciatic index was calculated, and the muscle and SN tissues were subjected to a histologic analysis. The results showed that NTP effectively accelerated the healing process of SNCI in rats. In contrast to the ND group, which showed approximately 60% recovery in the SN function, the NTP-treated rats showed complete recovery. Histologically, the NTP treatments not only accelerated the muscle healing, but also reduced the edema-like phenotype of the damaged SN tissues. In the ND group, the SN tissues had an accumulation of CD68-positive macrophages, partially destroyed axonal fibers and myelinated Schwann cells. Conversely, in the ND+NTP group, the macrophage accumulation was reduced and an overall regeneration of the damaged axon fibers and the myelin sheath was accomplished. The results of this study indicate that NTP can be used for healing of injured peripheral nerves.

Non-thermal plasma application enhances the recovery of transected sciatic nerves in rats

“…Therefore, we studied the effect of NTP application after SNCI in rats by reproducing PNI in a previous study, which was the first study that used NTP in PNI. 21 A microvascular clamp was compressed for 60 s to inflict crush injury, and NTP was applied similarly as in the current study. The results showed that nerve function was completely restored in the ND þ NTP group after three weeks, whereas only 60% of the nerve function was restored in the ND group without NTP application.…”

“…Furthermore, the result of IF staining for CD68 and type I collagen in our previous study showed significantly increased type I collagen and reduced macrophages in the muscle tissue around the sutured site. 21,22 Therefore, NTP might prevent a chronic inflammatory reaction on the damaged muscle tissue.…”

“…Meanwhile, in our previous study, a histological analysis was also conducted on the effect of NTP on the skin and muscle tissue located above the SNCI site where the same application was applied. 21,22 Histological examination demonstrated the possibility of promoting wound healing. The muscle tissue of the non-ND and ND groups had a significant decrease in density of muscle tissue and accumulation of mononuclear cells around the nerve repair site.…”

“…In a previous study, which was the first experiment to investigate the therapeutic effects of NTP on peripheral nerve injuries, axonotmesis was reproduced by administering a crush injury to the sciatic nerve (SN) of rats, yielding a physiological response similar to that in human peripheral nerves following this type of injury. 21 The study revealed that plasma treatment enhances functional recovery and neuronal regeneration. In addition, treatment with NTP also accelerates muscle healing.…”

“…This condition was also applied to the previous study with sciatic nerve crush injury (SNCI) model and had good recovery effect. 21 Additional information regarding the NTPgenerating device and details of the NTP application protocol have been provided in previous studies. [22][23][24] Animal model setup and NTP treatment Twenty-seven male Wistar A rats (eight weeks old; 250-300 g weight roughly) were obtained from Samtako Bio (Osan-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea).…”