Effects of Electro-acupuncture on PDGF Expression in Spared Dorsal Root Ganglion and Associated Dorsal Horn Subjected to Partial Dorsal Root Ganglionectomy in Cats

Abstract

The effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the expression of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in spared dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and associated dorsal horns were evaluated in cats subjected to bilateral removal of L1-L5 and L7-S2 DRG, while sparing L6 DRG and were demonstrated using Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR techniques. On the acupunctured side, there was a significant increase in the total number of PDGF positive neurons. Large neurons of the L6 DRG at 7 days post operation (dpo), and small to medium-sized neurons at 14 dpo, as well as in the lamina II of the L6 spinal cord at 14 dpo was observed. The expression of PDGF protein increased significantly in the L6 DRG at 7 and 14 dpo and in the dorsal horn of the L6 spinal cord at 14 dpo while the upregulation of PDGF mRNA was seen at 3 dpo in the L6 DRG and the dorsal horn of the L3 and L6 spinal cord. These findings demonstrate that intrinsic PDGF has been upregulated in cats subjected to partial dorsal root ganglionectomy following EA, indicating endogenous PDGF is involved in promoting spinal plasticity following EA.

Estudo Retrospectivo De 98 Felinos Submetidos À Acupuntura Atendidos Em Serviço De Reabilitação E Dor Crônica

“…Muitas destas pesquisas foram úteis, mas são muito discutíveis do ponto vista ético (40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46) . Em gatas submetidas à ovariohisterectomia (OH), a EA em E36 e vesícula biliar (VB) 34 diminuiu o consumo de anestésico e promoveu estabilidade cardiorrespiratória, sendo superior à AP falsa sem EA (47) e ao uso da morfina (48) .…”

Where have the organizers gone? – The growth control system as a foundation of physiology

“…[23] Based on the model of growth control system, minor perturbations such as acupuncture around the singular points of the growth control system can be beneficial as disease modifying therapy in treating many inflammatory and degenerative disorders beyond symptom relief. Acupuncture has been shown to regulate bone morphogenetic protein, retinoic acid [84], wnt, nerve growth factor, [85,86] IGF-1 [87,87,88] , platelet derived growth factor [89], atrogin-1, protein kinase Akt1, [70] vascular endothelial growth factor, angiogenesis, [90] increase bone density [91,91,92], neuroplasticity (as in the healing of spinal cord injury) [87], and stem cell proliferation. [93] , [69] Acupuncture showed promise in ameliorating muscle atrophy, [70] osteoporosis [94] , [91] obesity [95], diabetes [96], polycystic ovary syndrome [86], stroke [90], and sepsis [97,98].…”

Effects of Electro-Acupuncture on IGF-I Expression in Spared Dorsal Root Ganglia and Associated Spinal Dorsal Horn in Cats Subjected to Adjacent Dorsal Root Ganglionectomies

“…To ensure unbiased and accurate representation of the data, 5 sections of each tissue block were taken randomly from all consecutive sections, representing all the samples in one animal. The sections were then processed for IHC as described before [9], using rabbit polyclonal IGF-I antiserum (Santa Cruz, 1:200), biotinylated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG, dilution 1:200) and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) (Vector Stain Elite Kit, Vector Laboratory, Burlingame, CA, USA). For the control of immunostaining specificity, the primary antibody was omitted and the IGF-I antibody, pre-adsorbed with IGF-I.…”

“…Recent studies have also demonstrated the presence of some neurochemicals in the spinal cord associated with EA treatment of cats subjected to partial dorsal root ganglionectomies [6][7][8][9].…”