# TENS improves CFL injury rat and regulates the intestinal microbiota

## TL;DR

This study shows that TENS treatment improves CFL injury in rats by reducing inflammation and balancing gut bacteria.

## Contribution

The study reveals a novel link between TENS, gut microbiota, and CFL injury recovery in rats.

## Key findings

- TENS reduced IL-1β/NF-κB and IL-17 signaling in CFL-injured rats.
- TENS improved gut dysbiosis and reduced pathogenic bacteria like Ruminococcus and Dubosiella.
- Increased probiotics like Bacteroides and Lactobacillus were associated with anti-inflammatory effects.

## Abstract

This study revealed the mechanism of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for improving the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injury rats by regulating the intestinal microbiota.

After 1, 2, and 3 weeks of TENS treatment, the improvement of CFL injury rats model and the expressions of IL-1β/NF-κB/IL-17 signaling pathway were measured. Then the intestinal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing and its functions related to improve CFL injury rat were analyzed.

TENS could improved the athletic ability of CFL injury rats and reduced the expressions of IL-1β/NF-κB by regulating the IL-17 signaling pathway. By 16S rDNA sequencing analysis, the TENS treatment improved the intestinal dysbacteriosisof CFL injury rats and decrease pathogenic bacteria Ruminococcus and Dubosiella. The changed intestinal microbiota maybe relative with the ankle injury, whereas the increase in probiotics (Bacteroides and Lactobacillus) was relative with anti-inflammation.

TENS could down-regulate the expressions of IL-1β/NF-κB to improve CFL injury rat. TENS could change the intestinal microbiota of CFL rats and the changed bacteria whose function related to anti-inflammation could improve CFL rat. The intestinal microbiota could become a potential treatment for CFL injury.