Abstract

Info

Title:: Effects of electrical stimulation on the myelination of dorsal root ganglia and Schwann cells

Author(s):: LEI Tao1; LIU Yuhong2; ZHANG Yu3; LIANG Zhuowen4; 1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Air Force Medical University, Xian 710032, China 2. Department of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xian 710032, China 3. The 901st Hospital of Peoples Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force, Hefei 230031, China 4. Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xian 710032, China

Keywords:: Keywords: electrical stimulation conductive glass dorsal root ganglia Schwann cell myelination

Abstract:: Abstract: Objective To establish an in vitro dorsal root ganglion (DRG)-Schwann cells (SCs)-electrical stimulation (ES) model for providing a basis for the investigation on the mechanism of ES in promoting peripheral nerve myelination. Methods A function generator and an ES chamber were used to construct an ES cell culture system. After being co-cultured for 24 h, DRG/SCs were divided into control group and ES group. The ES group was given rectangular wave ES, 6 Vp-p, 10 Hz, 1 h/d, for 7 days and no ES was applied in control group. The effect of ES on cytotoxicity was observed using CCK8, and the effect of ES on the myelination of DRG/SCs was detected by immunofluorescence using myelin basic protein. Results The CCK8 cell proliferation and toxicity assay showed that the optical density of ES group was slightly higher than that of control group, but there was no statistical significance between two groups. The immunofluorescence assay revealed that the fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein in ES group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion The ES cell culture system designed in the study is safe and non-toxic to neuronal cells, and ES for 7 days in succession can increase the rate of neural myelination.