BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury often leads to neurogenic bladder with hyperreflexia of the forced urethral muscle,but there is a lack of clear understanding of its pathogenesis and treatment,and establishing a stable and reliable animal model has an important impact on revealing its pathomechanisms and exploring therapeutic approaches.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of the number of times to urinate on neurogenic model rats after complete spinal cord transection in order to improve the postoperative survival and modeling rate of neurogenic model rats.METHODS:Out of 46 female Sprague-Dawley rats,6 were selected as the sham-operated group using the random number table method,and the remaining 40 rats were randomly divided into 0,1,3,and 5 times daily urination groups after complete spinal cord transection modeling,with 10 rats in each group.The residual urine volume was measured every 3 days within 19 postoperative days,and the survival and modeling were observed on the 19th day after the operation,and urodynamics tests and contraction experiments of isolated forced urethra muscle strips were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Survival and modeling rate:there was 10%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 0 times daily urination;20%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 1 time daily urination;70%survival rate and 70%modeling rate in the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination.(2)Residual urine volume:compared with the sham-operated group,the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was significant increased on postoperative days 3,6,9,12,and 15(P<0.01);the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was increased on the 18th day after surgery(P<0.05).Compared with the 3 times daily urination group,the residual urine volume was decreased in the 5 times daily urination group on the 6th day after surgery(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the residual urine volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups on the 3rd,9th,12th,15th,and 18th days after surgery.(3)Urodynamics:Compared with the sham-operated group,the differential pressure at the point of leakage was significantly reduced(P<0.01)and the maximal volume was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.There was no statistical difference in the differential pressure at the point of leakage and the maximal volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.(4)Muscle-strip contraction test of isolated detrusor muscles:Compared with the sham-operated group,the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips were significantly reduced in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips between the 3 and 5 times daily-urination groups.In conclusion,assisted urination is one of the keys to establish a successful neurogenic model of urethral reflexes,and there is no significant difference in the effects of urinating 3 or 5 times a day on the neurogenic model.It is recommended to urinate at least 3 times a day based on the actual workload and the modeling rate.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions in model mice of ulcerative colitis(UC);To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving the intestinal mucus barrier.Methods Totally 48 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank group(12 mice)and modeling group(36 mice).The UC models were established in the modeling group using 3%dextran sulfate sodium free drinking.After successful modeling,mice were further randomly divided into model group,electroacupuncture group and sulfasalazine(SASP)group,with 12 mice in each group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at"Guanyuan","Tianshu","Zusanli"and"Shangjuxu"acupoints for 20 minutes per day,the SASP group was administered sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet suspension(500 mg/kg)by gavage,the blank group received no intervention,the model group was only confined for continuous 7 days.The general conditions were observed and disease activity index(DAI)score were recorded,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue and evaluate the colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)score,AB-PAS staining was used to observe the number of goblet cells in colonic tissue,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of mucin 2(MUC2)protein in colonic tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and γ interferon(IFN-γ),and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of interleukin(IL)-4,signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)6 and epithelial specific transcription factor(SPDEF)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed mucous stool,bloody stool,reduced intake of food and water,reduced body mass,increased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.01),with intestinal villi shedding and necrosis,destruction of colonic crypt villi structure,accompanied by severe neutrophil infiltration,thinning of mucus layer,atrophy and reduction of goblet cells(P<0.01),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significant decreased(P<0.01),the contents of TNF-α and INF-γ in serum significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF in colonic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the electroacupuncture group and SASP group showed improved mucous stool,bloody stool,increased body mass,decreased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.05),the morphology of the intestinal epithelium was basically normal,the glandular structure has improved,there was a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration and slight edema,the thickness of the mucus layer was restored,the atrophy reduced and number of goblet cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF protein in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can facilitate the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier and inhibit inflammation,potentially through the activation of IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions.

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)on learning and memory ability and nucle-ar factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1),reactive oxygen species(ROS)in hippocampus of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBI)and its anti-oxidative stress mechanism.Methods:A total of 76 neonatal rats were randomly divided into Sham opera-tion group(Sham),HIBI model group(HIBI),electroacupuncture group(HIBI+EA),and Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 group(HIBI+EA+ML385).The neonatal rat model of HIBI was established by classical Rice method.The HIBI+EA group was treated with electroacupuncture for 30 min/d for 14 consecutive days.In the HIBI+EA+ML385 group,30 mg/kg ML385 was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before each electroacupuncture intervention.Morris water maze test was performed on 21 days after modeling to test the learning and memory ability of neonatal rats in each group.Nissl staining and HE staining were used to observe the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region,and DHE flu-orescent probe was used to detect the expression of ROS in the hippocampal CA1 region.The contents of Nrf2,GPX4 and NQO1 in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the Sham group,the HIBI group had severe pathological damage,a prolonged escape latency,a decreased number of platform crossings,a significantly increased expression of ROS,and a significantly decreased expression of Nrf2,GPX4,and NQO1(P<0.05).Com-pared with HIBI group,the pathological damage was significantly attenuated,the escape latency was shortened,the number of platform crossings was increased,the expression of ROS was decreased,and the expression of Nrf2,GPX4 and NQO1 was increased in HIBI+EA group(P<0.05).Compared with HIBI+EA group,the pathological damage was aggravated,the escape latency was prolonged,the number of crossing the platform was decreased,the expression of ROS was increased,and the expression of Nrf2,GPX4,and NQO1 was decreased in HIBI+EA+ML385 group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Electroacupuncture can effectively improve the learning and memory ability of hypoxic-ischemic neonatal rats,which is related to its effect in reducing oxidative stress in hippocampal neurons by regulating Nrf2 signa-ling pathway.

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)on learning and memory ability and nucle-ar factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1),reactive oxygen species(ROS)in hippocampus of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBI)and its anti-oxidative stress mechanism.Methods:A total of 76 neonatal rats were randomly divided into Sham opera-tion group(Sham),HIBI model group(HIBI),electroacupuncture group(HIBI+EA),and Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 group(HIBI+EA+ML385).The neonatal rat model of HIBI was established by classical Rice method.The HIBI+EA group was treated with electroacupuncture for 30 min/d for 14 consecutive days.In the HIBI+EA+ML385 group,30 mg/kg ML385 was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before each electroacupuncture intervention.Morris water maze test was performed on 21 days after modeling to test the learning and memory ability of neonatal rats in each group.Nissl staining and HE staining were used to observe the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region,and DHE flu-orescent probe was used to detect the expression of ROS in the hippocampal CA1 region.The contents of Nrf2,GPX4 and NQO1 in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the Sham group,the HIBI group had severe pathological damage,a prolonged escape latency,a decreased number of platform crossings,a significantly increased expression of ROS,and a significantly decreased expression of Nrf2,GPX4,and NQO1(P<0.05).Com-pared with HIBI group,the pathological damage was significantly attenuated,the escape latency was shortened,the number of platform crossings was increased,the expression of ROS was decreased,and the expression of Nrf2,GPX4 and NQO1 was increased in HIBI+EA group(P<0.05).Compared with HIBI+EA group,the pathological damage was aggravated,the escape latency was prolonged,the number of crossing the platform was decreased,the expression of ROS was increased,and the expression of Nrf2,GPX4,and NQO1 was decreased in HIBI+EA+ML385 group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Electroacupuncture can effectively improve the learning and memory ability of hypoxic-ischemic neonatal rats,which is related to its effect in reducing oxidative stress in hippocampal neurons by regulating Nrf2 signa-ling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury often leads to neurogenic bladder with hyperreflexia of the forced urethral muscle,but there is a lack of clear understanding of its pathogenesis and treatment,and establishing a stable and reliable animal model has an important impact on revealing its pathomechanisms and exploring therapeutic approaches.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of the number of times to urinate on neurogenic model rats after complete spinal cord transection in order to improve the postoperative survival and modeling rate of neurogenic model rats.METHODS:Out of 46 female Sprague-Dawley rats,6 were selected as the sham-operated group using the random number table method,and the remaining 40 rats were randomly divided into 0,1,3,and 5 times daily urination groups after complete spinal cord transection modeling,with 10 rats in each group.The residual urine volume was measured every 3 days within 19 postoperative days,and the survival and modeling were observed on the 19th day after the operation,and urodynamics tests and contraction experiments of isolated forced urethra muscle strips were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Survival and modeling rate:there was 10%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 0 times daily urination;20%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 1 time daily urination;70%survival rate and 70%modeling rate in the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination.(2)Residual urine volume:compared with the sham-operated group,the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was significant increased on postoperative days 3,6,9,12,and 15(P<0.01);the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was increased on the 18th day after surgery(P<0.05).Compared with the 3 times daily urination group,the residual urine volume was decreased in the 5 times daily urination group on the 6th day after surgery(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the residual urine volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups on the 3rd,9th,12th,15th,and 18th days after surgery.(3)Urodynamics:Compared with the sham-operated group,the differential pressure at the point of leakage was significantly reduced(P<0.01)and the maximal volume was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.There was no statistical difference in the differential pressure at the point of leakage and the maximal volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.(4)Muscle-strip contraction test of isolated detrusor muscles:Compared with the sham-operated group,the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips were significantly reduced in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips between the 3 and 5 times daily-urination groups.In conclusion,assisted urination is one of the keys to establish a successful neurogenic model of urethral reflexes,and there is no significant difference in the effects of urinating 3 or 5 times a day on the neurogenic model.It is recommended to urinate at least 3 times a day based on the actual workload and the modeling rate.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions in model mice of ulcerative colitis(UC);To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture improving the intestinal mucus barrier.Methods Totally 48 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank group(12 mice)and modeling group(36 mice).The UC models were established in the modeling group using 3%dextran sulfate sodium free drinking.After successful modeling,mice were further randomly divided into model group,electroacupuncture group and sulfasalazine(SASP)group,with 12 mice in each group.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at"Guanyuan","Tianshu","Zusanli"and"Shangjuxu"acupoints for 20 minutes per day,the SASP group was administered sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablet suspension(500 mg/kg)by gavage,the blank group received no intervention,the model group was only confined for continuous 7 days.The general conditions were observed and disease activity index(DAI)score were recorded,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colonic tissue and evaluate the colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)score,AB-PAS staining was used to observe the number of goblet cells in colonic tissue,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of mucin 2(MUC2)protein in colonic tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and γ interferon(IFN-γ),and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of interleukin(IL)-4,signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)6 and epithelial specific transcription factor(SPDEF)in colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed mucous stool,bloody stool,reduced intake of food and water,reduced body mass,increased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.01),with intestinal villi shedding and necrosis,destruction of colonic crypt villi structure,accompanied by severe neutrophil infiltration,thinning of mucus layer,atrophy and reduction of goblet cells(P<0.01),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significant decreased(P<0.01),the contents of TNF-α and INF-γ in serum significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF in colonic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,both the electroacupuncture group and SASP group showed improved mucous stool,bloody stool,increased body mass,decreased DAI and CMDI scores(P<0.05),the morphology of the intestinal epithelium was basically normal,the glandular structure has improved,there was a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration and slight edema,the thickness of the mucus layer was restored,the atrophy reduced and number of goblet cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of MUC2 in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),while the contents of TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum significantly decreased(P<0.05),the expressions of IL-4,STAT6 and SPDEF protein in colonic tissue significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can facilitate the repair of the intestinal mucus barrier and inhibit inflammation,potentially through the activation of IL-4/STAT6/SPDEF pathway-related protein expressions.

BACKGROUND:The dysfunction of bladder function caused by spinal cord injury is a difficult point in clinical treatment and a hot spot in research.Repairing the injured spinal cord and remodeling the bladder micturition reflex pathway are the fundamental treatment methods. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the reconstruction of the bladder innervation pathway after spinal cord transection injury and its related influencing factors. METHODS:The relevant literature concerning the reconstruction of bladder micturition reflex,neurogenic bladder and urinary reflex and spinal cord repair was retrieved on CNKI,WanFang Data,PubMed and Web of Science.Chinese and English search terms were"neurogenic bladder;spinal cord injury;micturition reflex;spinal cord repair". RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the process of reconstructing the bladder micturition reflex,there are many factors involved,including the repair and reconstruction of the injured spinal cord,the remodeling of micturition center,the changes of bladder tissue and substances and hormones in and out of the body.In this process,there are mainly the following problems:(1)As a complex process,there are many sites involved in the reconstruction of the micturition reflex,so the main sites of action can be selected for in-depth study,so as to break through the doubts existing in the reconstruction of the micturition reflex pathway.(2)The mechanism of the normal micturition reflex is complex.After spinal cord transection injury,whether the central nucleus mass controlling or participating in the micturition reflex is compensated and the corresponding compensatory mechanism needs to be further investigated.(3)Information communication between the center and the bladder is interrupted after spinal cord transection injury.Whether there is a direct information connection between the center and the bladder remains to be further investigated.(4)The relationship between reconstructing micturition reflex and body fluid after spinal cord transection injury needs further study.In the reconstruction of the bladder micturition reflex,the key treatment is to promote spinal cord repair,nerve reflex reconstruction,substance metabolism and bladder tissue structure adjustment through intervention.Chinese medicine and Western medicine have their methods.

BACKGROUND:Numerous clinical and basic studies have shown that electroacupuncture can improve the function of neurogenic bladder after suprasacral spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on bladder function and connective tissue growth factor expression in rats with suprasacral spinal cord injury. METHODS:Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=12 per group):the blank group did not receive any treatment;the sham-operated group only exposed the T8 subvertebral spinal cord;in the model group established,a T8 subvertebral spinal cord transection injury model was established;in the electroacupuncture group,the T8 subvertebral spinal cord transection injury model was established,and electroacupuncture intervention at Ciliao(BL32),Zhongji(RN03)and Sanyinjiao(SP06)was given at 19 days after modeling,20 minutes once a day,for 10 continuous days.After the intervention,the relevant indicators were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Urodynamics:Compared with the blank group,the leakage point pressure,maximum bladder capacity and maximum bladder pressure of rats in the model group increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the leakage point pressure,maximum bladder capacity and maximum bladder pressure of rats in the electroacupuncture group decreased(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining:Compared with the blank group,the bladder epithelial cells in the model group were arranged in a disordered manner,the lamina propria was destroyed,the detrusor muscle bundles were hypertrophied,the muscle fibers were arranged in a disordered manner,and the tissue edema was obvious.Compared with the model group,the bladder epithelial cells in the electroacupuncture group were arranged in a regular and orderly manner,and the degree of bladder fibrosis and tissue edema was relatively reduced.Masson staining:The degree of bladder detrusor muscle fibrosis was severe in the model group and it was lighter in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group.Transmission electron microscopy:Mitochondria in the bladder tissue in the model group were swollen and vacuolated,the morphology of the detrusor muscle was twisted and distorted,and the muscle gap was widened.Compared with the model group,mitochondria in the electroacupuncture group had a slightly clearer contour and were less vacuolated,and the muscle gap was narrowed.Western blot detection:The protein expression of connective tissue growth factor in the detrusor muscle of the bladder was elevated in the model group compared with the blank group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the protein expression of connective tissue growth factor in the bladder detrusor muscle was decreased in the electroacupuncture group(P<0.05).To conclude,electroacupuncture at Ciliao(BL32),Zhongji(RN03)and Sanyinjiao(SP06)acupoints can improve the morphology,structure and function of the bladder in rats with suprasacral spinal cord injury,and the mechanism of action may be related to the down-regulation of connective tissue growth factor protein expression in the detrusor muscle.

Objective: To evaluate the bone repair effect of 3D-printed magnesium (Mg)-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds in a rat skull defect model. Methods: PCL scaffolds mixed with Mg microparticles were prepared by using 3D printing technology, as were pure PCL scaffolds. The surface morphologies of the two scaffolds were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the surface elemental composition was analyzed via energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The physical properties of the scaffolds were characterized through contact angle measurements and an electronic universal testing machine. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee. A critical size defect model was established in the skull of 15 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, which were divided into the PCL group, PCL-Mg group, and untreated group, with 5 rats in each group. Micro-CT scanning was performed to detect and analyze skull defect healing at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery, and samples from the skull defect area and major organs of the rats were obtained for histological staining at 8 weeks after surgery. Results: The scaffolds had a pore size of (480 ± 25) μm, a fiber diameter of (300 ± 25) μm, and a porosity of approximately 66%. The PCL-Mg scaffolds contained 1.0 At% Mg, indicating successful incorporation of Mg microparticles. The contact angle of the PCL-Mg scaffolds was 68.97° ± 1.39°, indicating improved wettability compared to that of pure PCL scaffolds. Additionally, compared with that of pure PCL scaffolds, the compressive modulus of the PCL-Mg scaffolds was (57.37 ± 8.33) MPa, demonstrating enhanced strength. The PCL-Mg group exhibited the best bone formation behavior in the skull defect area compared with the control group and PCL group at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. Moreover, quantitative parameters, such as bone volume (BV), bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), bone surface (BS), bone surface/total volume (BS/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N) and bone mineral density (BMD), of skull defects were better than those in the other groups, indicating the best bone regeneration effect. H&E, Goldner, and VG staining revealed more mineralized new bone formation in the PCL-Mg group than in the other groups, and H&E staining of the major organs revealed good biosafety of the material. Conclusion PCL-Mg scaffolds can promote the repair of bone defects and have clinical potential as a new scaffold material for the repair of maxillofacial bone defects.