ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of deep electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at "Huantiao"(GB30) on hindlimb motor function and expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK ) and p53 proteins in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in rats with chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve. METHODS: Forty-eight SD rats (half male and half female) were randomly divided into control, model, shallow EA (SEA) stimulation and deep EA (DEA) stimulation groups (n=12 in each group). The CCI model was constructed by implanting a silicone tube close to the sciatic nerve of the left hind limb. For DEA group and SEA group, filiform acupuncture needles were inserted into GB30 about 12-14 mm deep and 5-8 mm deep (monitored by using a high-frequency ultrasound device), respectively, followed by electrical stimulation (2 Hz/100 Hz, 1 mA) using an EA stimulator. The intervention was conducted for 15 min every time, once daily for 14 days. The sciatic nerve function index (SFI) calculated to assess the motor function status. Histopathological changes of the sciatic nerve were displayed by H.E. staining. The expression levels of phosphorylated-p38 MAPK (p-p38) and phosphorylated-tumor protein p53 (p-p53) in DRGs of L4-L5 on the affected side were observed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Following modeling, the SFI were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the expression levels of p-p38 and p-p53 proteins of L4-L5 DRGs were considerably increased in the model group (P<0.05). After the intervention, the SFI were obviously increased, and the expression levels of p-p38 and p-p53 proteins notably down-regulated in both DEA and SEA groups relevant to the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The therapeutic effect of DEA was significantly superior to that of SEA in raising SFI and down-regulating expression le-vels of p-p38 and p-p53 proteins (P<0.01, P<0.05). H.E. staining showed disordered arrangement of the sciatic nerve fibers and myelin, disaggregation of the myelin and axons with deformity and vacuolation in some of them and with an increase of Schwann cells in the model group, which was relatively milder in both DEA and SEA groups. CONCLUSION: Both DEA and SEA at GB30 can obviously improve the motor function in CCI rats, which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the expression of p-p38 and p-p53 proteins in L4-L5 DRGs, restraining p38 MAPK signaling. The therapeutic effect of DEA is evidently better than that of SEA.