Acupuncture can alleviate symptoms of spinal cord injuries (SCI). The underlying mechanism, however, is unknown. We hypothesized that stem cells could be mobilized by acupuncture. Therefore, we enrolled 14 healthy study participants using acupuncture points for the treatment of SCI. The frequency of CD133 and CD34 cells in peripheral blood and the serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and interleukin-6 were determined before and after acupuncture (<1 hr, 24 hr, and 48 hr). CD133(+)34(-) cells were doubled 48 hr after acupuncture, with concomitant decreases in BDNF and MMP-9 levels. Interleukin-6 remained below detectable levels, eliminating a stress-induced cell release. Individuals acupunctured on control counterpoints showed no changes in CD133(+) cells. Our results indicate that acupuncture for SCI can mobilize human CD133(+)34(-) cells. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture for spinal cord lesions on the mobilization of stem cells. Therefore, 14 healthy study participants were acupunctured and gave blood samples before, immediately after as well as 24 and 48 hours after acupuncture. At these time points, the frequency of CD133, CD34, CD4, CD14, CD19 and CD45 positive cells were determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore, serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 8 and 9, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), stroma-derived factor (SDF) 1 and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. CD133(+)34(−) cells were significantly increased 48 hours after acupuncture (29.1±5.8% versus 11.4±4.8%, p= 0.015), which was paralleled by significant decreases of BDNF (7.5±1 ng/ml versus 10.8±1.6 ng/ml, p= 0.013) and MMP-9 serum levels (46.4±2.6ng/ml versus 42.5±2.4 ng/ml, p= 0.009). Values in non-treated controls were not affected. No changes in SDF-1, NGF, interleukin-6 and G-CSF concentrations occurred. In conclusion, acupuncture does mobilize non-hematopoietic CD133(+) cells.