ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effects of DU meridian electroacupuncture on the survival,differentiation and immigration of neural stem cells(NSCs) transplanted in the injured site of rat spinal cord transection. Methods Twenty adult SD rats were divided into NSCs transplanted 14d group(NSCsl4d group),DU meridian electroacupuncture plus NSCs transplanted 14d group(EA+NSCs14d group),NSCs transplanted 30d group(NSCs30d group) and DU meridian electroacupuncture plus NSCs transplanted 30d group(EA+NSCs30d group).T10 spinal cord segments of all animals were completely transected.The rats of EA+NSCs14d group and EA+NSCs30d group were treated with DU electroacupuncture at 5 days after operation.The sacrifice times of the rats were respectively at 14 days and 30 days after operation.The spinal cords were taken for observing the survival,differentiation and immigration of neural stem cells transplanted in the injured site of rat spinal cord transection. Results 1.The surviving number of transplanted NSCs in EA+NSCs14d group or EA+NSCs30d group was more than that of NSCsl4d group or NSCs30d group,and the surviving number of transplanted NSCs in EA+NSCs30d group and NSCs30d group was less than that in EA+NSCs14d group and NSCs14d group.2.Some transplanted NSCs at injured site of transected completely spinal cord and neighboring tissue showed microtubule association protein 2(MAP2) positive staining in EA+NSCs30d group or NSCs30d group.3.Many transplanted NSCs at injured site of transected completely spinal cord and neighboring tissue could be observed to show glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) positive staining in EA+NSCs 30d group or NSCs 30d group.4.The immigrating distance of transplanted NSCs toward caudal tissue of injured site of spinal cord was longer in EA+NSCs 14d group and EA+NSCs 30d group than that in NSCs 14d group and NSCs 30d group.Conclusion DU meridian electroacupuncture may promote the survival of neural stem cells transplanted in injured site of rat spinal cord transected completely,and these cells can differentiate into MAP2 or GFAP possive cells.DU meridian electoacupuncture may affect the immigrating direction of neural stem cells transplanted at injured site of spinal cord toward host spinal cord tissue.