The effect of nerve growth factor and microwave electricalb stimulation on tissue regeneration: An experimental study in rats

Tissue regeneration involves replacement of damaged structures or cells with replications of the originals. While mammals and most higher vertebrates typically express very limited regenerative capacities.It is hoped that epimorphic regeneration on mammalian systems will be the answer of extremity amputations,spinal cord injuries and damaged lens, optic nerve and retina. In this study, the effects of nerve growth factor and microwave electrical stimulation on tissue regeneration were evaluated in rats. Twenty-four 300 gr and over , male, Sprague Dawley rats were included in this study with amputated tail model .In this study, four experimental group is designated , each containing six rats, in order to observe tissue regeneration. In Group-1, amputated tail followed up with saline filled macro-environment tubes. In Group-2, the rats are followed up with amputated tail in macro-environment tubes with electrical stimulation. In Group-3, we used nerve growth factor with heparin- conjugated fibrin gel at macro-environment tubes. In Group-4, the rats are followed up with microwave electrical stimulation at nerve growth factor with heparin - conjugated fibrin gel filled macro-environment tubes. The rats are followed- up fourty-two days in standard conditions. Electrical stimulation performed in rats of group two and four on days 0,3,6,12,18,24, 35 and 42 with 1 µA for 15 minutes. X-rays are taken on first and 42th days. At the end of this period, they are sacrificed and evaluated histopathologically and radiologically. At the end of analysis, findings are compared statistically for each group. Depending on these results, it can be concluded that NGF and microwave electrical stimulation have positive effects on tissue regeneration.