Abstract
This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of peripheral nerve microcurrent stimulation therapy in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Twenty 8-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 300-330 g were categorised into group A, serving as the healthy control; group B, including rats subjected to MCAO; group C, including rats receiving microcurrent therapy immediately after MCAO, which was continued for one week; and group D, including rats receiving microcurrent therapy one week before and one week after MCAO. A gross morphological analysis, behavioural motion analysis, histological examination, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting were conducted. Microcurrent therapy significantly reduced ischaemic damage and pyramidal cells of the hippocampus CA1 region. Haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed infarction areas/viable pyramidal cell numbers of 0%/94.33, 28.53%/40.05, 17.32%/80.13, and 5.38%/91.34 in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively (p < 0.001). A behavioural analysis revealed that the total distances moved were 1945.24 cm, 767.85 cm, 1781.77 cm, and 2122.22 cm in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively (p < 0.05), and the mean speeds were 6.48 cm/s, 2.50 cm/s, 5.43 cm/s, and 6.82 cm/s, respectively (p < 0.05). Inflammatory markers (cluster of differentiation 68, interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α) significantly decreased in the treated groups (p < 0.001). Western blotting revealed reduced proinflammatory, oxidative stress, and apoptosis-related protein levels, along with increased angiogenic factors and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway modulation in the treated groups. Peripheral nerve microcurrent stimulation therapy effectively mitigates ischaemic damage, promotes recovery, reduces inflammation, and modulates protein expression, emphasising its potential as a therapeutic strategy for ischaemic stroke.