Effects of electroacupuncture on glial scar generation in SCI model rats

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a commonly occurring and severe form of central nervous system (CNS) injury. Previous studies have demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy promotes recovery from SCI. In this study, we observed changes in the glial scars of rats with SCI to gain insight into how EA therapy positively influences locomotor function. The experimental rats were randomly divided into three groups: the sham group, the SCI group and the SCI + EA group. Rats in the SCI + EA group received a 28‐day treatment course using the Dazhui (GV14) acupoint and the Mingmen (GV4) acupoint for 20 min/day. The Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to estimate the neural function of rats in all groups. We found that before sacrifice on Day 28, the BBB score was significantly improved in the SCI + EA group, which was higher than that observed in the SCI group. Hematoxylin–eosin staining revealed morphological improvements in spinal cord tissues of the rats in the EA + SCI group with reduced glial scars and cavities. Based on immunofluorescence staining, reactive astrocytes overpopulated both the SCI and SCI + EA groups following SCI. Moreover, improved generation of reactive astrocytes at lesions was observed in the SCI + EA group compared with the SCI group. After treatment, EA inhibited glial scar generation. EA effectively downregulated fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin protein and mRNA expression levels, according to the results from Western blot assays and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). We hypothesized that these findings described might represent the mechanism underlying EA inhibition of glial scar generation, morphological improvements in tissues and promotion of neural recovery from SCI in rats.

Traditional Chinese medicine in human diseases treatment: New insights of their potential mechanisms

“…1.4 | Novel potential mechanisms of acupuncture in treating nervous system diseases Spinal cord injury is the most serious complication of spinal injury, which leads to severe motor and sensory dysfunction. Based on the current situation of side effects and complications of drug therapy, Hu et al (2023) explored the influence of EA on the function of injured spinal nerves, to provide safer and more effective treatment methods. They found that the morphology of injured spinal cord tissue was improved, and glial scar and cavity were reduced by EA at Dazhui (GV14) and Mingmen (GV4) acupoints in spinal cordinjured rats.…”

Clinical Research Progress of Different Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy for Perimenstrual Insomnia

“…In addition, Ling Hu suggested that EA could decrease serum LH and FSH levels and also increase serum E2 and hypothalamus in a perimenopausal model of β Endophilin (β-enkorphin, β-EP) content, and increase uterine visceral index and endometrial thickness [13][14][15].…”