Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field promotes functional recovery, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and enhances HSP70 expression following spinal cord injury

Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (LPEMFs) have been reported to be protective for multiple diseases. However, whether the administration of LPEMFs inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress following spinal cord injury requires further investigation. In the current study, a contusion spinal cord injury model was used and LPEMFs administration was applied to investigate the molecular changes, including inflammation, oxidative stress and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels. The results revealed that LPEMFs significantly promoted functional recovery following spinal cord injury, as demonstrated by an increased Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score. The results demonstrated that LPEMFs decreased the expression of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and nuclear factor-κB. Additionally, LPEMFs exposure reduced the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and reactive oxygen species, and upregulated the expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, treatment with LPEMFs significantly enhanced the expression of HSP70 in spinal cord-injured rats. Overall, the present study revealed that LPEMFs promote functional recovery following spinal cord injury, potentially by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress and HSP70.