ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of every-other-day fasting(EODF)on pathology and functional recovery of rats with spinal cord clip-compression injury,and to explore the related mechanism. Methods A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to groups A(sham operation),B(sham operation and EODF),C(spinal cord injury)and D(spinal cord injury and EODF)with nine rats in each group.The spinal cord injury rat model in T10was established by using medical aneurysm clip in latter two groups.The motor func-tion was assessed by Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB)score one day before and one day,two,four,six,eight,ten, twelve weeks after operation;and toluidine blue staining was performed for pathological observation at twelve weeks after operation.Another 180 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned in same way.The level of tu-mor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-10(IL-10)were detected with ELISA six hours,twelve hours,one day,three days and seven days after operation. Results The BBB score reached lowest on the first day in groups C and D(P<0.05),and gradually increased with time,and were higher in group D than in group C eight weeks,ten weeks and twelve weeks after operation(P<0.05). The pathology in spinal cord was less in group D than in group C.Compared with group A,the level of serum TNF-α increased twelve hours after operation(P<0.05),peaked one day after operation,and returned back seven days after operation;the level of serum IL-10 increased at each time point after operation(P<0.05).Compared with group C,the level of serum TNF-α was lower in group D one day after operation(P<0.05);the level of se-rum IL-10 was not significantly different at each time point after operation(P>0.05). Conclusion Long-term EODF can promote the hind limb motor recovery in rats with spinal cord clip-compression inju-ry,and alleviate pathological damage.EODF might inhibit acute inflammatory reaction at acute stage of spinal cord injury,which may be correlated with its neuroprotective effect.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dietary intervention may be the most available, safe, economic and efficient approach to treat spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of dietary restriction in the form of every-other-day fasting (EODF) on the pathological changes and functional recovery of rats with clip-compression injury of the spinal cord. METHODS: The models of spinal cord injury were established by a medical aneurysm clip in 36 Sprague-Dawley rats, and model rats were then randomized into four groups: group A with spinal cord injury and EODF, group B with spinal cord injury, group C with sham operation and EODF, and group D with sham operation. Food intake and body mass were observed. Motor functional recovery in rats was assessed by Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan scores at preoperative 1 day and postoperative 1 day, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks. At 12 weeks after operation, the morphological changes of the spinal cord were observed through hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan score in the group B was decreased to the lowest at postoperative 1 day, and gradually increased with time. At 8-12 weeks after operation, the scores in the group A were significantly superior to those in the group B. At 12 weeks after operation, hematoxylin-eosin staining showed less lesion of the spinal cord in the group A than the group B. These results indicate that EODF can improve the motor functional of rats with spinal cord injury, and exerts effective protection on the injured spinal cord.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences in the efficacy on traumatic spinal cord injury(SCI) in the thoracic and lumbar vertebra between the paraplegia-triple-needling method and the conventional acupuncture therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The perspectively randomized controlled trial was adopted. Forty-eight cases of traumatic SCI in the thoracic and lumbar vertebra were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 24 cases in each one. The conventional rehabilitation training was applied in both groups. In addition, the paraplegia-triple-needling method was used in the observation group. In the treatment, acupuncture was applied to the points of the Governor Vessel and the Back-shu which, located two segments above and below the spinal injury plane separately. Acupuncture with the electric pulsing stimulation was applied to the motor points of the key muscles of the lower extremities. In the control group, the conventional acupuncture was applied to Huantiao (GB 30), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). In each group, the treatment was given once a day, one month treatment made 1 session. Totally, 3 sessions of treatment were required. Before and after treatment, as well as in 1-month follow-up visit after treatment, the modified Barthel index (MBI) and the function comprehensive assessment (FCA) were adopted to assess the activities of daily life (ADL) and the comprehensive function of the patients. The score of MBI and FCA were taken as the double response variables to imitate the multilevel model. The changing tendency of MBI and FCA along with the time was observed in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the follow-up visit, MBI and FCA score were all improved as compared with those before treatment in two groups (all P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in MBI and FCA score at any time point between two groups (all P > 0.05). In 4-month observation, there was a rising tendency with time in MBI and FAC scoe in both groups, which was roughly linear. As time went on, the increasing amplitude in the observation group was much bigger. It was explained that there was no difference in the short-term efficacy between two groups. However, the long-term efficacy in the observation group was much better.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both the paraplegia-triple-needling method and the conventional acupuncture therapy can improve the ADL and the comprehensive function of the patients with traumatic SCI of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra. Concerning the long-term efficacy, the paraplegia-triple-needling combined with the rehabilitation training achieves better result. This therapeutic program is safe and effective.</p>