Effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on the hydroxyproline content in severed superficial digital flexortendon in horses

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) has recently been used in resolving experimentallysevered superficial flexor tendon which leads to acute tendonitis. However, mechanism by which(TES) promote tendon repair is not fully understood. In this study 4 right superficial flexor tendon ofhind limb of horses were subjected to daily therapeutic regimen of TES for 10 minutes for 15 daysusing 100 Hz frequency and 80 s intensity ( 2.8 – 0.6 mA) after being severed in full length thicknessin total length of 10 cm in the mid- tendon area and similarly in another 4 right tendon in control horsesno treatment was applied. Tendons were subjected to ultrasonographical, histological and, tensilestrength evaluation which has been reported separately for publication and hydroxyproline contentfor 60 days after treatment. There were remarkable differences between hyroxyproline contents ofsevered tendon with those of normal ones in control group, whereas there was not significantdifferences in treated tendons with those of normal ones in the same horses. This study suggests thatusing hydroxyproline content as a direct marker of the effect of TES on collagen content in injuredtendon. J.Vet.Res. 62,2:43-47,2007.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on the hydroxyproline content in severed superficial digital flexortendon in horses Keywords:

tendon , TES , tensile strength , horse