Effects of electrical stimulation on periodontal tissue remodeling in rats

Background and Objective: Electric current is used to promote wound healing. However, it is unclear whether electrical stimulation contributes to gingival tissue remodeling. This study examined the effects of electrical stimulation on gingival tissue remodeling in a rat periodontitis model. Material and Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 28, 8 wks of age) were divided into four groups of seven rats each. The control group did not receive any treatment for 6 wks. In the other groups, periodontitis was ligature-induced for 4 wks. After 4 wks, the rats with periodontitis were given daily electrical stimulation of 0, 50 or 100 μA for 2 wks. Results: The periodontitis group stimulated with 0 μA showed a higher density of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a lower density of collagen in gingival tissue compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The two remaining groups treated with 50 or 100 μA of electrical stimulation exhibited a lower density of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (p < 0.05) and a higher density of collagen than the group stimulated with 0 μA (p < 0.05). They also showed higher expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 than the group treated with 0 μA of electrical stimulation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Electric stimulation may offer a novel approach to promote gingival tissue remodeling in periodontal lesions.