Abstract：
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) on corneal nerve regeneration in rabbits injured from superficial lamellar keratectomy (SLK).
New Zealand White rabbits were used in this experimental study. To induce corneal nerve damage, SLK was performed using a 7.0-mm trephine. TES was applied for 28 days after the corneal nerve injury. Corneal sensitivity, Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunofluorescence were performed to observe changes in the corneal tissue.
In the 2-Hz and 20-Hz electrical stimulation groups, the degree of corneal wound healing increased by more than 10% compared to the control group, but no significant difference was observed. Conversely, the electrical stimulation (2-Hz or 20-Hz) group showed significantly increased corneal sensitivity compared to the control group. Western blot analysis revealed that small proline-rich protein 1A (SPRR1a), a regeneration-associated protein was significantly increased in the 2-Hz group on days 1 and 7 compared to that in the other groups. Once again, nerve regeneration in the 2-Hz group was supported by the results of PCR, in which a significant increase in the nerve growth factor (NGF) on day 1 was observed compared with the other groups. Moreover, immunofluorescence after 28 days of electrical stimulation showed significant nerve regeneration in the 2-Hz group.
TES promoted corneal nerve regeneration in rabbit SLK model. The application of electrical stimulation of 2-Hz frequency was more effective than the 20-Hz frequency, showing potential clinical applications for corneal diseases.
This study shows how application of TES to the eyes that exhibit corneal nerve damage can improve corneal nerve regeneration examined by histologic analysis.
New Zealand White rabbits were used in this experimental study. To induce corneal nerve damage, SLK was performed using a 7.0-mm trephine. TES was applied for 28 days after the corneal nerve injury. Corneal sensitivity, Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunofluorescence were performed to observe changes in the corneal tissue.
In the 2-Hz and 20-Hz electrical stimulation groups, the degree of corneal wound healing increased by more than 10% compared to the control group, but no significant difference was observed. Conversely, the electrical stimulation (2-Hz or 20-Hz) group showed significantly increased corneal sensitivity compared to the control group. Western blot analysis revealed that small proline-rich protein 1A (SPRR1a), a regeneration-associated protein was significantly increased in the 2-Hz group on days 1 and 7 compared to that in the other groups. Once again, nerve regeneration in the 2-Hz group was supported by the results of PCR, in which a significant increase in the nerve growth factor (NGF) on day 1 was observed compared with the other groups. Moreover, immunofluorescence after 28 days of electrical stimulation showed significant nerve regeneration in the 2-Hz group.
TES promoted corneal nerve regeneration in rabbit SLK model. The application of electrical stimulation of 2-Hz frequency was more effective than the 20-Hz frequency, showing potential clinical applications for corneal diseases.
This study shows how application of TES to the eyes that exhibit corneal nerve damage can improve corneal nerve regeneration examined by histologic analysis.
摘要：
本研究旨在评估经皮电刺激（TES）对浅层板层角膜切除术（SLK）损伤兔角膜神经再生的影响。
本实验研究使用新西兰白兔。诱导角膜神经损伤，SLK是使用7.0毫米的环钻进行的。角膜神经损伤后应用TES28天。角膜敏感性,西方印迹,实时聚合酶链反应（PCR），并进行免疫荧光观察角膜组织的变化。
在2Hz和20Hz电刺激组中，与对照组相比，角膜伤口愈合程度提高了10%以上，但没有观察到显著差异。相反，与对照组相比,电刺激(2-Hz或20-Hz)组显示角膜敏感性显著增加.蛋白质印迹分析显示，富含脯氨酸的小蛋白1A（SPRR1a），与其他组相比,第1天和第7天2-Hz组的再生相关蛋白显著增加.再一次,2Hz组的神经再生得到PCR结果的支持，其中与其他组相比，在第1天观察到神经生长因子（NGF）的显着增加。此外，电刺激28天后免疫荧光显示2-Hz组明显的神经再生。
TES促进兔SLK模型角膜神经再生。2Hz频率的电刺激比20Hz频率的电刺激更有效，显示角膜疾病的潜在临床应用。
这项研究显示了将TES应用于表现出角膜神经损伤的眼睛如何改善通过组织学分析检查的角膜神经再生。
本实验研究使用新西兰白兔。诱导角膜神经损伤，SLK是使用7.0毫米的环钻进行的。角膜神经损伤后应用TES28天。角膜敏感性,西方印迹,实时聚合酶链反应（PCR），并进行免疫荧光观察角膜组织的变化。
在2Hz和20Hz电刺激组中，与对照组相比，角膜伤口愈合程度提高了10%以上，但没有观察到显著差异。相反，与对照组相比,电刺激(2-Hz或20-Hz)组显示角膜敏感性显著增加.蛋白质印迹分析显示，富含脯氨酸的小蛋白1A（SPRR1a），与其他组相比,第1天和第7天2-Hz组的再生相关蛋白显著增加.再一次,2Hz组的神经再生得到PCR结果的支持，其中与其他组相比，在第1天观察到神经生长因子（NGF）的显着增加。此外，电刺激28天后免疫荧光显示2-Hz组明显的神经再生。
TES促进兔SLK模型角膜神经再生。2Hz频率的电刺激比20Hz频率的电刺激更有效，显示角膜疾病的潜在临床应用。
这项研究显示了将TES应用于表现出角膜神经损伤的眼睛如何改善通过组织学分析检查的角膜神经再生。
