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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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Objective To explore one mechanism of therapeutic action of electroacupuncture on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), that is, improving the way to eliminate cerebral microvascular Ab by investigating the effect of electroacupuncture on hippocampal microvascular Ab deposition and learning and memory abilities in APP/PSI double transgenic mice. Method Twenty-four 7-month-old male APP/PSI double transgenic mice were randomized into model and electroacupuncture groups, 12 mice each. Same sex transgene-negative littermate mice (12 mice) constituted a blank control group. The electroacupuncture group received electric acupuncture at points Baihui (GV20) and Yongquan (KI1), 15 min once every other day, for a total of six weeks. After treatment, mouse learning and memory abilities were tested using the Morris water maze. The expressions of Ab 1-40 and Ab 1-42 in the hippocampal microvascular wall and senile plaque were determined by immunohistochemical method. Hippocampal microvascular Ab-positive expression was semi-quantitatively analyzed using the Imagine Pro Plus software. Result The Morris water maze test showed that escape latency lengthened (P<0.05), and the number of crossing platform and swimming time in the platform quadrant decreased (P<0.05) in the model group compared with the blank control group. Escape latency shortened (P<0.05), and the number of crossing platform and swimming time in the platform quadrant increased (P<0.05) in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group. The immunohistochemical results showed that hippocampal microvascular Ab 1-42 and Ab 1-40 integral optical densities were higher in the model group than in the blank control group (P<0.05) and senile plaques appeared in the hippocampus. Hippocampal microvascular Ab 1-42 and Ab 1-40 integral optical densities were lower in the in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture reduces mouse learning and memory impairments and hippocampal microvascular Ab deposition. Its mechanism may be that electroacupuncture improves the way of eliminating cerebral microvascular Ab to decrease cerebral Ab deposition.
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Objective To observe over-time changes in rat blood flow in the skins of related meridian points during physiological status, the pathological state of ischemic myocardial injury and low or high frequency electroacupuncture intervention and explore the post effect of different frequency electroacupuncture on related meridian points after treating ischemic myocardial injury. Method Fifty male Wister rats were randomized into five groups: blank control, sham operation, model, low frequency electroacupuncture (meridian point A) and high frequency electroacupuncture (meridian point B), 10 rats each. Blood flow in the skins of bilateral points Neiguan (PC6), Ximen (PC4) and Tianquan (PC2), and non-meridian and non-acupoint control points was measured by laser speckle contrast imaging in every group immediately and at 30 and 60 min after the end of three treatments. Statistical analysis was made. Result Blood flow in the skins of bilateral points Neiguan, Ximen and Tianquan was significantly lower in the blank control group than in the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05). Blood flow in the skin of every acupoint increased in varing degrees after low or high frequency electroacupuncture treatment. Blood flow in bilateral points Neiguan, Ximen and Tianquan regions in meridian point group A was closer to that in the blank control group immediately after treatment. Blood flow in three left-side and three right-side acupoint regions in meridian point group B was closer to that in the blank control group at 30 and 60 min, respectively, after treatment. Conclusion The immediate effect of low frequency electroacupuncture on blood flow in acupoint regions is better than high frequency electroacupuncture during intervention in ischemic myocardial injury. The post effect of high frequency electroacupuncture on blood flow in acupoint regions is better than low frequency electroacupuncture during intervention in ischemic myocardial injury.
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BACKGROUND: The neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity of bupivacaine have been reported frequently. However, the studies on bupivacaine-induced muscle toxicity are few. OBJECTIVE: To establish and evaluate local intramuscular injection of bupivacaine on the changes in histomorphology and ultrastructure of rat multifidus muscle at various time points. METHODS: A total of 54 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 280-320 g were randomly divided into black group (n=18), model group (n=18) and model control group (n=18). Each group was then equal y subdivided into three subgroups according to time points (4, 7 and 14 days) (n=6). Both sides of multifidus muscle of the rats (L4 and L5) were injected with 0.5% bupivacaine. The morphological and ultrastructural changes of multifidus muscle were observed and analyzed with light microscope and transmission electron microscope at 4, 7 and 14 days after model establishment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) A single intramuscular injection of 0.5% bupivacaine induced muscular damage. (2) Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed fiber necrosis, inflammatory cel infiltration, and a smal amount of macrophages in local skeletal muscle. (3) Under the transmission electron microscope, the structure of myofibrils was destroyed or disintegrated; kinds of bands and lines were indistinct, disrupted or disappeared; the structure of mitochondria was abnormal, the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or disappeared. In the 7- and 14-day groups, multifidus muscle proliferated and repaired. (4) Ultrastructural change scores in skeletal muscle were significantly higher in the model group than in the blank and model control groups (P < 0.05). Above scores were significantly greater in the 4-day group than in the 7- and 14-day groups (P < 0.05), and higher in the 7-day group than in the 14-day group (P < 0.05). (5) Results suggest that a single intramuscular injection of 0.5% bupivacaine can result in pathological changes of skeletal muscle from morphology and ultrastructure. This method can establish a suitable model of skeletal muscle injury.
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Objective To observe the effect of Chinese herbal compound Tangbikang on the level of plasma β-EP of diabetic peripheral neuropathy rats, and to discuss its mechanism of neuroprotection and abirritation. Methods STZ and feeding high fat forage induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into diabetic model group, Mecobalamin group, Tangbikang high dose group, Tangbikang medium dose group, Tangbikang low dose group, with 10 normal rats as control. The control group and model group were daily gavaged with distilled water, Tangbikang groups were given Tangbikang with different dose. Mecobalamin was used as the control medicine. Body weight and FBG was detected every 4 weeks, rats’ unilateral sciatic nerve were taken out at the 16th week. Pathological variation of sciatic nerve was presented by HE staining, and radioimmunoassay method was used to detect the levels of plasma β-EP of diabetic peripheral neuropathy of rats. Results The weight and FBG had obviously changed in the 16th week. Compared with the model group, pathological injury of diabetic peripheral neuropathy rats in the Tangbikang groups were significantly improved. The level ofβ-EP of model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01) compared with normal group. Tangbikang medium and high dose group significantly increased the level of plasma β-EP (P<0.01). Conclusion Chinese herbal compound Tangbikang could reduce the fasting blood glucose, protect nervous system and promote the level of plasmaβ-EP of diabetic peripheral neuropathy rats.
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Objective To determine the difference between sevoflurane- and anoxic preconditioning in protecting newborn rat heart muscle cells from anoxia-reoxygenation injury. Methods The second generation of primary cultured cardiac myocytes from 2-3d newborn SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (C), anoxia/reoxygenation group (A/R) in which cultured cardiac myocytes were exposed to 2h anoxia followed by 48h reoxygenation; anoxic preconditioning group (IP) in which before A/ R the cardiac myocytes were pretreated with 20 min anoxia; sevoflurane preconditioning group (S) in which cardiac myocytes were pretreated with 20 min 2.5% sevoflurane (1.5 MAC) before A/R. Ultrastructure of heart muscles cells was observed 1 h after reoxygenation, Cell survival was determined by MTT rapid colorimetric assay and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry at 0, 1, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after reoxygenation. Results (1) In S and IP group there was no significant change in ultrastructure and no apoptosis cell was found, whereas in A/R group the change in ultrastructure was significant , and apoptosis cells were found. (2) The cell survival in group S and group IP was significantly lower than that in group C but significantly higher than that in group A/R. (P 0.05) . The survival of cardiac myocytes increased with prolongation of reoxygenation time in group S and group IP. (3) The apoptosis percentage of cells in group S and group IP was significantly higher than that in group C and lower than that in group A/R(F