Basic Research
The effects of early treadmill training combined with ultrashort wave irradiation on functional recovery from spinal cord injury
Su Hao, Du Shu, Chen Danying, Chen Shu, Sun Shi, Wan Yucen, Wang Zhiqiang, Zhang Lixin
Published 2019-10-25
Cite as Chin J Phys Med Rehabil, 2019,41(10): 721-726. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2019.10.001
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of early-stage training combined with the ultrashort wave therapy on the functional recovery of rats after a spinal cord injury, and to observe the expression of aquaporin protein-4 (AQP-4) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).
MethodsFifty female Sprague-Dawley rats had spinal cord injury (SCI) induced using the modified Allen′s method. After successful modeling, 40 were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a control group, an ultrashort wave group, a treadmill group and a combined group, each of 8. Motor function in their hind limbs was evaluated 4 weeks after the operation using BBB scoring. GFAP and AQP-4 immunohistochemical staining were used to determine the integral optical density (IOD) of the protein expression.
ResultsThe average BBB score of the sham operation group was 21, while the other four groups averages were all less than 1 on the 1st day after the operation. They gradually increased with time, and by 4 weeks the increases were significant. Compared with the control group at the same time point, the average BBB scores of the treadmill and the combined groups were significantly higher. Compared with the ultrashort wave group, the average BBB score of the treadmill group was higher after 4 weeks, and the combined group′s average was significantly higher at 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the operation. Four weeks after the SCI modeling, the average AQP-4 IOD and GFAP IOD levels of the ultrashort wave group, the treadmill group and the combined group were lower than that of the control group, while the average AQP-4 and GFAP IOD levels of the combined group were significantly lower than those of the ultrashort wave group. Compared with the treadmill group, the combined group had a significantly lower average GFAP level.
ConclusionsBoth treadmill training and ultrashort wave treatment promote motor function recovery after a spinal cord injury. The mechanism may be related to downregulation of AQP-4 and GFAP expression at the injured site. Combining the two treatments gives better effects.
Key words:
Spinal cord injury; Treadmill training; Ultrashort wave irradiation; Auaporin protein-4; Glial fibrillary acidic protein
Contributor Information
Su Hao
China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Rehabilitation Center of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang 110134, China
Du Shu
Shenyang Emergency Center, Shenyang 110006, China
Chen Danying
Rehabilitation Center of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang 110134, China
Chen Shu
Rehabilitation Center of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang 110134, China
Sun Shi
Rehabilitation Center of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang 110134, China
Wan Yucen
Rehabilitation Center of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang 110134, China
Wang Zhiqiang
Rehabilitation Center of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang 110134, China
Zhang Lixin
Rehabilitation Center of Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang 110134, China
