Nerve growth factor expression in stroke induced rats after shock wave

Jung-Ho Lee1), Youn-Bum Sung2), Sang-Hun Jang3)

1) Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungdong University, Republic of Korea 2) Department of Physical Therapy, Korea National University of Transportation, Republic of Korea 3) Department of Physical Therapy, Institute for Health Science, Gimcheon University: Gimcheon City, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea

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[Purpose] This study investigates effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on nerve growth factor expression in stroke in rats. 

[Subjects and Methods] Sixteen eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were used and randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group, a control group. The experimental group received extracorporeal shock wave therapy after the stroke. The spinal cord encompassing the lumbar 4-lumbar 5 level was then removed for Western blot analysis. 

[Results] There was a significant difference in nerve growth factor expression between the groups after the impairment. 

[Conclusion] Application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy increased the expression of nerve growth factor and nerve growth factor postulated to promote nerve growth factor upregulation through formation of a microenvironment at the spinal cord level related to the injured area.