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Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on calcium tissue changes in focal ischaemia
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract:
The effect of a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) (parameters: 27.1 MHz, 585 W peak power, and 65 microseconds pulses, 400 times per second) on rats undergoing middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) was investigated. Four groups of eight rats each underwent microsurgical MCAo. Two groups were treated with a PEMF generator for 2 h following the onset of ischemia and were sacrificed at 4 and 24 h following the MCAo respectively. The other two groups were also sacrificed at the same time intervals. Regional brain sodium, potassium, and calcium tissue contents were determined by atomic spectrophotometry. As distinct from results found in spinal cord contusion, no significant difference between the PEMF-treated groups and the non-treatment groups was found. PEMF treatment did not alter the 300% rise in calcium tissue dry weight content observed at 24 h following MCAo in the infarcted tissue. Regional brain water content was determined by the dry weight method. A regionally inconsistent reduction in brain water content was noted in the PEMF-treated rats.
Insights
Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy did not significantly alter brain tissue ion content or water levels in rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). This study found no beneficial effects of PEMF on MCAo-induced brain injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
Background:
- Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) is a common model for ischemic stroke.
- Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) have shown potential therapeutic effects in other neurological conditions.
- Investigating PEMF's impact on ischemic stroke is crucial for developing new treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy in mitigating brain injury following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in a rat model.
- To determine the effect of PEMF on regional brain sodium, potassium, calcium, and water content post-MCAo.
Main Methods:
- Rats underwent microsurgical MCAo and were divided into PEMF-treated and control groups.
- PEMF treatment was administered for 2 hours post-ischemia.
- Regional brain ion (sodium, potassium, calcium) and water content were measured using atomic spectrophotometry and dry weight analysis at 4 and 24 hours post-MCAo.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in brain sodium, potassium, or calcium content were observed between PEMF-treated and control groups.
- PEMF treatment did not affect the substantial increase in calcium content in infarcted tissue at 24 hours.
- A regionally inconsistent reduction in brain water content was noted in PEMF-treated rats.
Conclusions:
- PEMF therapy, under the tested parameters, did not demonstrate significant neuroprotective effects in this rat model of MCAo.
- The study suggests that PEMF may not be an effective treatment for reducing ion derangements or edema in ischemic stroke.
- Further research with varied PEMF parameters may be warranted, but current findings indicate limited efficacy for this specific application.