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ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different acupuncture schemes on behaviors, neurotransmitters and inflammation-related factors in post-stroke depressed (PSD) rats. MethodsA total of 72 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, drug control group, scalp acupuncture group, abdominal acupuncture group and combined acupuncture group, 12 rats in each group. The PSD model was prepared using a combination of middle cerebral artery occlusion and chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS) for the model and each intervention groups. The drug control group was administered fluoxetine, the scalp acupuncture group accepted acupuncture at Baihui (DU 20) and Yintang (EX-HN3), while the abdominal acupuncture group at Zhongwan (RN 12) and Guanyuan (RN 4), the combined acupuncture group at all the four acupoints, for 21 days. They were assessed with Longa neurological function score, body mass, open-field test and sugar-water preference test on the 0 (before modeling), the seventh (before CUMS), the 14th (before treatment) and the 35th day (after treatment). The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), interferon-γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor⁃α (TNF⁃α) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the serum were determined with ELISA on the 35th day. Results The neurological function score was lower in the drug control group and the combined acupuncture group thanin the model group (P < 0.01) on the 35th day; while the body mass was higher in the drug control group, the abdominal acupuncture group and the combined acupuncture group than in the model group (P < 0.01); and the number of horizontal span frames, the number of uprightness and the sugar water consumption were higher in the drug control group, the scalp acupuncture group, the abdominal acupuncture group and the combined acupuncture group than in the model group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference among the four intervention groups (P > 0.05). The levels of 5-HT, DA and NE were higher in the four intervention groups than in the model group (P < 0.01), and the levels of IFN-γ, TNF⁃α and MIF were lower (P < 0.01). 5-HT level was higher in the combined acupuncture group than in the scalp acupuncture group and the abdominal acupuncture group, and the levels of IFN-γ, TNF⁃α and MIF were lower (P < 0.01); the levels of DA and NE was higher in the combined acupuncture group than in the abdominal acupuncture group (P < 0.01). ConclusionThe combination of scalp acupuncture and abdominal acupuncture can improve behavior, neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors of PSD rats, like fluoxetine. Scalp or abdominal acupuncture alone is still effecive, and can be used secondarily.
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@#Objective To observe the change of coagulation function in chronic stress depression model rats and the effects of elec-troacupuncture (EA) on it. Methods A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided in control group (n=8), model group (n=8), EA group (n=8) and fluoxetine group (n=8) after a week of acclimation. The 21-day unpredictable mild stress combined with solitarily feed-ing was used to make the depression model in the latter three groups, meanwhile EA group and the fluoxetine group accepted EA and fluox-etine. They were measured the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB). Serum levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α), P-selectin, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were determined with enzyme-linked im-munoabsorbent assay. Results The cross and rear scores were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group (P<0.01). The scores increased in EA group and the fluoxetine group (P<0.01) compared with the model group. Compared with the control group, PT, APTT and TT decreased (P<0.01), FIB increased (P<0.05), the level of 6-keto-PGF1αdecreased, the level of P-selectin and TXB2 increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, PT, APTT and TT increased (P<0.05), the level of 6-keto-PGF1αincreased (P<0.01), and the level of P-selectin and TXB2 decreased (P<0.05) in EA group and the fluoxetine group, and FIB decreased in EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion The chronic stress depression rats are impaired in the coagulation function and platelet activation, and can be allayed with electroacupuncture and fluoxetine.
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@#Objective To explore the biological mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) for depression. Methods Forty male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=8), model group (n=8), EA group (n=8) and fluoxetine group (n=8). Depressive models were established with lonely raising and chronic unpredictable mild stress. They were tested with Open-field Test, and the expression of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4)A and PDE4D in hippocampus was detected with RT-PCR. Results The cross and rear scores were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group (P<0.001), while it increased in the EA group and the fluoxetine group (P<0.001). Compared with the model group, the expression of PDE4A and PDE4D decreased in the EA group (P<0.001). Conclusion Electroacupuncture may relieve depression through inhibiting the expression of PDE4A and PDE4D.
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@#Objective To explore the effect of Governor Vessel electroacupuncture in different time points on motor function and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) after spinal cord injury. Methods A total of 180 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (one day, three days and seven days after modeling), and each group was divided into normal control group, normal electroacupuncture group, sham operation group, model group and Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group with 12 cases in each group. The spinal cord injury model was established with the modified Allen's method. The normal electroacupuncture group and the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture on Dazhui (DU14) and Mingmeng (DU04) acupoints. Basso-Beattic-Bresnahan (BBB) Scale was performed to assess the motor function of rats. The expression of p75NTR was detected with Western blotting. Results The BBB score of the model group and the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group were significantly lower than that of the other three groups. The BBB score was significantly higher in the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group than in the model group seven days after intervention (t=-4.510, P<0.001). The expression of p75NTR was siginificantly lower in the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.01). Conclusion The expression of p75NTR increased after spinal cord injury. Governor Vessel electroacupuncture could improve the motor function, and inhibit the p75NTR expression of damaged spinal cord tissues.
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As the nerve regeneration has been researched more and more, nerve regeneration related signaling pathways after spinal cord injury (SCI) comes into the view. Inhibiting apoptosis signaling pathways may reduce the apoptosis, inflammation and nerve degenera-tion after SCI. Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays an important role in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and there was interaction among the four subordinate pathways. Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway does not only participate in the body cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, but also in the process of inflammatory and oxidative stress in the body. It has been found that blocking the Wnt signaling pathway after inju-ry in the central nervous system would inhibit neural axon regeneration. Exogenous Wnt3a can increase the number of neurons after SCI and promote the axon conduction and nerve function. Inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway after SCI can signif-icantly reduce neuronal loss, cell death and well promote the functional recovery. When Notch signaling pathways are activated, neural stem cells proliferate actively and differentiation are inhibited, and stem cells enter the stage of differentiation as the pathway inhibited. Activa-tion of Ras homolog gene/Rho associated coiled coil forming protein kinase (Rho/ROCK) signaling pathways leads to the collapse of the growth cone, inhibition of axon regeneration, whereas the selective inhibition of Rho can promote axon regeneration and recovery of motor function after SCI.
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@#Spinal cord injury is a kind of central nervous system diseases with high morbidity. Acupuncture and moxibustion has unique advantages in treating spinal cord injury and its complications including neurogenic bladder, neuropathic pain, intestinal disorders, and muscle spasms. This article reviewed the researches of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment on spinal cord injury. It is presented to provide reference for clinical research.