Effects of repetitive magnetic stimulation on motor function and expression of GAP-43 and 5-HT in rats with spinal cord injury

Abstract Objectives: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disastrous central nervous system (CNS) disorder. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS) act on different segments of the spinal cord on movement function and expression of GAP43 and 5-HT in rats after acute cord injury and to preliminarily discuss the best treatment site of rTSMS, so as to provide theoretical foundation and experimental evidence for the clinical application of rTSMS in spinal cord injury. Methods: In the present study, we used a rat model of T10 laminectomy with transient violent oppression by aneurysm clip. The rats were classified into A group (sham surgery), B group (acute SCI without stimulation), C group (T6 segment stimulation), D group (T10 segment stimulation) and E group (L2 segment stimulation). Results: In vivo the magnetic stimulation was found to protect motor function and alleviate myelin sheath damage, decrease the expression levels of NgR and Nogo-A, increase the expression levels of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP43) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and inhibite TUNEL-positive cells as well as the expressions of apoptosis-related protein of rats following 8 weeks post-operation.Conclusions: This study suggests that rTSMS can promote the expression of GAP-43 and 5-HT and axonal regeneration in the spinal cord which is beneficial to the recovery of motor function after acute spinal cord injury.