[Effects of electric fields on the cellular structure of the regenerated nerve]

Eighty adult SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of 20 each: 1. local electrostimulation of nerve stump (Group LS); 2. electrostimulation of myeloneure (Group N); 3. electrostimulation of the denervated muscle (Group M); and 4. Control (Group C). 5 millimeters of the left sciatic nerve of the rat was excised and the severed nerve was bridged with a silicon tube. The gap between the stumps was about 10 millimeters. On the 3rd day and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th week after surgery, samples were taken and processed for microscopic examinations to observe the effects of electric fields on cellular structural development of regenerated axons, especially on the proliferation and migration of Schwann's cell and fibroblasts, etc. The number of the axon and capillary, the degree of axon maturity and myelinated axon proportion were also observed. The results showed that electrostimulation enhanced nerve regeneration by, 1. promoting the form of matrix bridge; 2. stimulating Schwann's cell and fibroblast migration and proliferation; 3. promoting vascularization of regenerating nerves; and 4. direct electrophoretic effects on structural protein of growth cone.