Previous studies have shown that, anode block electrical stimulation of the sacral nerve root can produce physiological urination and reconstruct urinary bladder function in rabbits. However, whether long-term anode block electrical stimulation causes damage to the sacral nerve root remains unclear, and needs further investigation. In a recent study reported on the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 9, No. 12, 2014), Dr. Peng Yan and co-workers from Jilin University, China established a complete spinal cord injury model in New Zealand white rabbits through T9-10 segment transaction, and these model rabbits were given continuous electrical stimulation for a short period and then chronic stimulation for a longer period. Results showed that compared with normal rabbits, the structure of nerve cells in the anterior sacral nerve roots was unchanged in spinal cord injury rabbits after electrical stimulation. There was no significant difference in the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bax, Caspase-3, and Bcl-2. Experimental findings indicate that neurons in the rabbit sacral nerve roots tolerate electrical stimulation, even after long-term anode block electrical stimulation.
Article: " Prolonged electrical stimulation causes no damage to sacral nerve roots in rabbits," by Peng Yan1, 2, Xiaohong Yang1, Xiaoyu Yang1, Weidong Zheng2, Yunbing Tan2 (1 Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China; 2 People's Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun, Jilin Province, China)
Yan P, Yang XH, Yang XY, Zheng WD, Tan YB. Prolonged electrical stimulation causes no damage to sacral nerve roots in rabbits. Neural Regen Res. 2014;9(12):1217-1221.