Pulsed Elkctromagnetic Fields and Peripheral Nerve Regeneration in Cat

Abstract

The effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) on peripheral nerve regeneration was assessed in 15 cats by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). After transection and repair of one common peroneal (CP) nerve, animals received PEMF as pulse bursts (B-PEMF), as repetitive pulses (R-PEMF), or served either as treatment (TC) or non-treatment (NTC) controls. the distribution of HRP-labeled CP motoneurons in the spinal cord ipsilateral to the repaired nerve was similar to the unoperated side in all of the cats. However, significantly fewer cells contained HRP on the repaired, as compared to the unoperated side in NTC and R-PEMF animals. In cat3 receiving B-PEMF, labeled CP neurons on the side of nerve repair averaged over 90% of the numbers found ipsilateral to the unoperated nerve. these results suggest that B-PEMF can increase the numbers of motoneurons that reestablish appropriate connections after surgical transection and repair of peripheral nerves.