Alteration in sensory nerve function following electrical shock

Electroporation (EP) of outer cell membranes is widely used in research, biotechnology and medicine. Now intracellular effects by organelle EP are of growing interest, mainly due to nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF). For perspective, here we provide an approximate overview of EP pulse strength-duration space. This overview locates approximately some known effects and applications in strength-duration space, and includes a region where additional intracellular EP effects are expected. A feature of intracellular EP is direct, electrical redistribution of endogenous biochemicals among cellular compartments. For example, intracellular EP may initiate a multistep process for apoptosis. In this hypothesis, initial EP pulses release calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum, followed by calcium redistribution within the cytoplasm. With further EP pulses calcium penetrates mitochondrial membranes and causes changes that trigger release of cytochrome-c and other death molecules. Apoptosis may therefore occur even in the presence of apoptotic inhibitors, using pulses that are smaller, but longer, than nsPEF.

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“…A generally accepted hypothesis is cell death by irreversible EP, leading to necrosis [26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31]. …”

Section: Effects and Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A brief overview of electroporation pulse strength–duration space: A region where additional intracellular effects are expected

Weaver

Smith

Esser

et al. 2012

Bioelectrochemistry

243

158

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“…This suggests that IRE might be a promising choice to treat tumors near or involved critical nerve. Abramov et al found that 3 hours after non-thermal 150 V/cm shocks (4 ms long) on rat sciatic nerve the loss of normal action potential amplitude and conduction velocity hadn’t recovered [15]. For the typical IRE treatment involves a higher electric field, it is possible that IRE has a more significant impact on the nerve.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) on Nerves

et al. 2011

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BackgroundIf a critical nerve is circumferentially involved with tumor, radical surgery intended to cure the cancer must sacrifice the nerve. Loss of critical nerves may lead to serious consequences. In spite of the impressive technical advancements in nerve reconstruction, complete recovery and normalization of nerve function is difficult to achieve. Though irreversible electroporation (IRE) might be a promising choice to treat tumors near or involved critical nerve, the pathophysiology of the nerve after IRE treatment has not be clearly defined.MethodsWe applied IRE directly to a rat sciatic nerve to study the long term effects of IRE on the nerve. A sequence of 10 square pulses of 3800 V/cm, each 100 µs long was applied directly to rat sciatic nerves. In each animal of group I (IRE) the procedure was applied to produce a treated length of about 10 mm. In each animal of group II (Control) the electrodes were only applied directly on the sciatic nerve for the same time. Electrophysiological, histological, and functional studies were performed on immediately after and 3 days, 1 week, 3, 5, 7 and 10 weeks following surgery.FindingsElectrophysiological, histological, and functional results show the nerve treated with IRE can attain full recovery after 7 weeks.ConclusionThis finding is indicative of the preservation of nerve involving malignant tumors with respect to the application of IRE pulses to ablate tumors completely. In summary, IRE may be a promising treatment tool for any tumor involving nerves.

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“…In experimental animals, the major arteries and nerves experience the largest current density because of the higher conductivity [5]. Although some authors have reported that the primary nerve target is the myelinated nerve, it would appear that the principal injury in our patient was to the sympathetic nerves [6]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic use of infrared thermography in a patient with chronic pain following electrocution: a case report

Jarrell

Spanswick

2009

J Med Case Rep

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IntroductionSurvival after severe electrocution is uncommon but chronic pain after such trauma is rare. We present a case report of an individual in whom the only modality providing objective evidence of pain related injury was infrared thermography.Case presentationA 35-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the Calgary Health Region Chronic Pain Centre with severe pain in her left hand and foot following electrocution. All previous clinical and neurological testing had been normal. Infrared thermography demonstrated a significant reduction in temperature in the regions affected on her left hand and foot. Pain was reduced with the use of pregabalin but without changes to thermal differences in the affected limbs.ConclusionIt would appear from this case report that infrared thermography may be of use in the documentation of abnormalities associated with chronic pain following survival after electrocution. Pregabalin may be of benefit in pain reduction after electrocution.

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Alteration in sensory nerve function following electrical shock

Cited by 41 publications

References 12 publications

A brief overview of electroporation pulse strength–duration space: A region where additional intracellular effects are expected

A brief overview of electroporation pulse strength–duration space: A region where additional intracellular effects are expected

The Effects of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) on Nerves

Diagnostic use of infrared thermography in a patient with chronic pain following electrocution: a case report

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