Effect of electro-acupuncture on treatment of spinal cord injuries in rats
- VernacularTitle:电针抗脊髓损伤的实验研究
- Author:
Jianian XU
;
Da XIAO
;
Jiuhong JU
;
Aizhen YU
;
Xiaoqing XU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research
2006;10(23):180-182,封三
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: At present, researches have been proved that nerve growth factor (NGF) plays an important role in repairing neural regeneration after spinal cord injuries. Poor ability of neural regeneration is related to lack of microenvironment for neuronal growth at local injured site. Whether electro-acupuncture can protect nerve after spinal cord injuries through increasing NGF level in injured spinal cord or not is lack of experimental data on the view of molecule.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture on motor function, morphology of spinal cord and mRNA expression of NGF in rats with experimental spinal cord injuries through morphology and hybridization in situ.DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal study.SETTING: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University; Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian.MATERIALS: The experiment was completed in the Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian from January 1999 to February 2002. A total of 15 male SD rats weighing (260±9.52) g were randomly divided into sham operation group, injured control group and acupuncture group with 5 in each group.METHODS: Models of spinal cord injuries were established in injured control group and electro-acupuncture group, and rats in sham operation group were just treated with resection of lamina of vertebra. Two hours after operation, rats in electro-acupuncture group were treated with electroacupuncture at Daczhui (GV14) and Mingmen (GV4), L2 Jiaji (Ex-B2-L2)and Huantiao (GB30), alternatively. Then, G6805 electro-acupuncture apparatus was used with distant wave, 0.8 Hz, 0.3-0.6 mA, and slight shake on muscle was regarded as proper response. The electro-acupuncture was performed every 30 minutes a day for 30 days. Rats in injured control group and sham operation group were not treated with any way, and motor functions 2 hours and 30 days after operation were observed with modified Tarlov scale and Rivlin method. ① Modified Tarlov scale: Pamplegia and irresponsivity of lower limbs during electro-acupuncture were scored from 0 to 6 points. ② Modified Rivlin method: Tiltboard was consisted of two rectangular alloy boards which was connected to one end through hinge.Board turned around axis at the beginning of horizontal position (0°) and the angle of ram could be measured. Rats faced towards front were put vertically as longitudinal axis of body to longitudinal axis of tiltboard.Angle was increased gradually when rats were not able to keep the primary position for 5 seconds, and the critical angle was recorded. Hybridization in situ assay: Amount of positive NGF cells was recorded under light microscope and photographs were completed at the same time.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scale of motor function (modified Tarlov score), critical angle of ram test (modified Rivlin method) and changes of amount of positive NGF mRNA cells in rats with spinal cord injuries.RESULTS: A total of 15 experimental rats were involved in the final analysis. ① Two hours after spinal cord injuries of rats in injured control group and electro-acupuncture group, score of motor function and critical angle of ram which was measured with modified Rivlin method were decreased remarkably; 30 days later, score of motor function measured with modified Tarlov scale and critical angle of ram were increased at various degrees, especially those in electro-acupuncture group were increased remarkably, and there was significant difference from those in injured control group [35.40±6.62, 27.80±1.10; (35.40±6.62)°, (27.80±1.10)°, P ＜ 0.05]. ② Thirty days after injury, pathological lesion of rats in electroacupuncture group was milder than that in injured control group, and morphological injury of spinal cord and amount of positive NGF mRNA cells were obvious as compared with those in injured control group (28.13±1.64,12.63±1.41, P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture can improve mRNA expression of NGF in spinal cord, relieve morphological injury of spinal cord, accelerate recovery of motor function of rats with spinal cord injuries, and protect nerve through mRNA expression of NGF.
