In vitro electrophoresis and in vivo electrophysiology of peripheral nerve using DC field stimulation

Background: Given the movement of molecules within tissue that occurs naturally by endogenous electric fields, we examined the possibility of using a low-voltage DC field to move charged substances in rodent peripheral nerve in vitro.

New method: Labeled sugar- and protein-based markers were applied to a rodent peroneal nerve and then a 5-10 V/cm field was used to move the molecules within the extra- and intraneural compartments. Physiological and anatomical nerve properties were also assessed using the same stimulation in vivo.

Results: We demonstrate in vitro that charged and labeled compounds are capable of moving in a DC field along a nerve, and that the same field applied in vivo changes the excitability of the nerve, but without damage.

Conclusions: The results suggest that low-voltage electrophoresis could be used to move charged molecules, perhaps therapeutically, safely along peripheral nerves.