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He Z, Liu Q, Yang R, Zhou Y, Liu X, Deng H, Cong H, Liu Y, Liao L. Low-Intensity Ultrasound Tibial Nerve Stimulation Suppresses Bladder Activity in Rats. Neuromodulation 2024:S1094-7159(24)00133-8. [PMID: 39078346 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2024.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Noninvasive neuromodulation, particularly through low-intensity ultrasound, holds promise in the fields of neuroscience and neuro-engineering. Ultrasound can stimulate the central nervous system to treat neurologic disorders of the brain and activate peripheral nerve activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of low-intensity ultrasonic tibial nerve stimulation on both the physiological state and the overactive bladder (OAB) model in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 28 female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Continuous transurethral instillation of 0.9% normal saline into the bladder was initially performed to stimulate physiological bladder activity. Subsequently, a solution containing 0.3% acetic acid dissolved in saline was instilled to induce rat models of OAB. The study comprised two phases: initial observation of bladder response to low-intensity ultrasound (1 MHz, 1 W/cm2, 50% duty cycle) in seven rats; subsequent exploration of ultrasound frequency (3 MHz) and intensity (2 W/cm2 and 3 W/cm2) effects in 21 rats. The intercontraction intervals (ICIs) were the primary outcome measure. Histologic analysis of tibial nerves and surrounding muscle tissues determined safe ultrasound parameters. RESULTS Low-intensity ultrasound tibial nerve stimulation significantly inhibited normal and OAB activity. Ultrasound stimulation at 1 MHz, 1 W/cm2, with a 50% duty cycle significantly prolonged the ICI in both normal (p < 0.0001) and OAB rats (p < 0.01), as did transitioning to a 3 MHz frequency (p = 0.001 for normal rats; p < 0.01 for OAB rats). Similarly, at an intensity of 2 W/cm2 and 1 MHz frequency with a 50% duty cycle, ultrasound stimulation significantly prolonged the ICI in both normal (p < 0.01) and OAB rats (p < 0.005). Furthermore, switching to a 3 W/cm2 ultrasound intensity also significantly extended the ICI in both normal (p < 0.05) and OAB rats (p = 0.01). However, after different ultrasound intensities and frequencies, there was no statistical difference in ICI ratios (preultrasound stimulation vs postultrasound stimulation/preultrasound stimulation ∗ 100%) in all rats (p > 0.05). Low-intensity ultrasound tibial nerve stimulation did not influence baseline pressure, threshold pressure, or maximum pressure. In addition, a latency period in bladder reflex inhibition was induced by low-intensity ultrasound tibial nerve stimulation in some rats. Histologic analysis indicated no evident nerve or muscle tissue damage or abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed the potential of transcutaneous ultrasound tibial nerve stimulation to improve bladder function. According to the findings, the ultrasonic intensities ranging from 1 to 3 W/cm2 and frequencies of 1 MHz and 3 MHz are both feasible and safe treatment parameters. This study portended the promise of low-intensity ultrasound tibial nerve stimulation as a treatment for OAB and provides a basis and reference for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zitian He
- Department of Rehabilitation, Yuying Children's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinggang Liu
- Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China; Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Ruiyao Yang
- Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yongheng Zhou
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China; University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China; University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Han Deng
- Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China; School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiling Cong
- Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China; School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yixi Liu
- Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China; School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Limin Liao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Yuying Children's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Urology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China; School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Chu YC, Lim J, Chien A, Chen CC, Wang JL. Activation of Mechanosensitive Ion Channels by Ultrasound. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:1981-1994. [PMID: 35945063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mechanosensitive channels (MSCs) play an important role in how cells transduce mechanical stimuli into electrical or chemical signals, which provides an interventional possibility through the manipulation of ion channel activation using different mechanical stimulation conditions. With good spatial resolution and depth of penetration, ultrasound is often proposed as the tool of choice for such therapeutic applications. Despite the identification of many ion channels as mechanosensitive in recent years, only a limited number of MSCs have been reported to be activated by ultrasound with substantial evidence. Furthermore, although many therapeutic implications using ultrasound have been explored, few offered insights into the molecular basis and the biological effects induced by ultrasound in relieving pain and accelerate tissue healing. In this review, we examined the literature, in particular studies that provided evidence of cellular responses to ultrasound, with and without the target ion channels. The ultrasound activation conditions were then summarized for these ion channels, and these conditions were related to their mode of activation based on the current biological concepts. The overall goal is to bridge the results relating to the activation of MSCs that is specific for ultrasound with the current knowledge in molecular structure and the available physiological evidence that may have facilitated such phenomena. We discussed how collating the information revealed by available scientific investigations helps in the design of a more effective stimulus device for the proposed translational purposes. Traditionally, studies on the effects of ultrasound have focused largely on its mechanical and physical interaction with the targeted tissue through thermal-based therapies as well as non-thermal mechanisms including ultrasonic cavitation; gas body activation; the direct action of the compressional, tensile and shear stresses; radiation force; and acoustic streaming. However, the current review explores and attempts to establish whether the application of low-intensity ultrasound may be associated with the activation of specific MSCs, which in turn triggers relevant cell signaling as its molecular mechanism in achieving the desired therapeutic effects. Non-invasive brain stimulation has recently become an area of intense research interest for rehabilitation, and the implication of low-intensity ultrasound is particularly critical given the need to minimize heat generation to preserve tissue integrity for such applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Cherng Chu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jormay Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Andy Chien
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jaw-Lin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Wen J, Deng X, Huang C, An Z, Liu M. Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Enhanced Neurite Guidance Growth through Netrin-1/DCC Signal Pathway in Primary Cultured Cortical Neurons of Rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1931-1939. [PMID: 34018719 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound is found to be effective in axonal regeneration, while the role of ultrasound in axonal growth guidance is still unclear. This study was performed to explore the neuroprotective role of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) both in vitro and in vivo. Primary cultured rat cortical neurons were subjected to 1.0 MHz ultrasound for 5 min every day at intensity of 0, 0.008, 0.12, and 0.21 W/cm2. Our results demonstrated that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound significantly increased neuronal cell viability and inhibited neuronal apoptosis in vitro as determined by fluorescein diacetate assay (FDA) and a TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nicked-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Moreover, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound at 0.12 W/cm2 significantly enhanced the axonal growth guidance by activation of netrin-1 and DCC (deleted in colorectal carcinoma) expression as determined by Western blots assay. More interestingly, we further found that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound treatment at 0.21 W/cm2 promoted the functional restoration of rat injured nerves in vivo, decreased hemorrhage, and reversed the injury process by activating positive netrin-1 expression as seen in the immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. Thus, our study strongly demonstrated that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound activated netrin-1/DCC signaling and further mediated neurite outgrowth. It would be a new approach to nerve regeneration in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang Wen
- Beijing Engineering Technology Research Center of Ocean Acoustic Equipment, Underwater Acoustic Transducer and Testing Laboratory, Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Xiaomeng Deng
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chongquan Huang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zitong An
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Meili Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 102402, China
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