<p>Electroacupuncture Promoting Axonal Regeneration in Spinal Cord Injury Rats via Suppression of Nogo/NgR and Rho/ROCK Signaling Pathway</p>

Abstract

To observe the changes of Nogo/NgR and Rho/ROCK signaling pathway-related gene and protein expression in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and to further investigate the possible mechanism of EA for treating SCI. Methods: Allen's method was used to create the SCI rat model. Sixty-four model rats were further subdivided into four subgroups, namely, the SCI model group (SCI), EA treatment group (EA), blocking agent Y27632 treatment group (Y27632) and EA+blocking agent Y27632 treatment group (EA+Y), according to the treatment received. The rats were subjected to EA and/or blocking agent Y27632 treatment. After 14 days, injured spinal cord tissue was extracted for analysis. The mRNA and protein expression levels were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell apoptosis changes in the spinal cord were evaluated by in situ hybridization. Hindlimb motor function in the rats was evaluated by Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan assessment methods. Results: Except for RhoA protein expression, compared with the SCI model group, EA, blocking agent Y27632 and EA+blocking agent Y27632 treatment groups had significantly reduced mRNA and protein expression of Nogo-A, NgR, LINGO-1, RhoA and ROCK II in spinal cord tissues, increased mRNA and protein expression of MLCP, decreased p-MYPT1 protein expression and p-MYPT1/MYPT1 ratio, and caspase3 expression, and improved lower limb movement function after treatment for 14 days (P<0.01 or <0.05). The combination of EA and the blocking agent Y27632 was superior to EA or blocking agent Y27632 treatment alone (P < 0.01 or <0.05). Conclusion: EA may have an obvious inhibitory effect on the Nogo/NgR and Rho/ROCK signaling pathway after SCI, thereby reducing the inhibition of axonal growth, which may be a key mechanism of EA treatment for SCI.

Effects of repetitive magnetic stimulation on motor function and GAP43 and 5-HT expression in rats with spinal cord injury

“… 27 In addition, studies have confirmed that Nogo-A and NgR expression levels are increased after SCI. 19 Furthermore, Nogo-A affects nerve function recovery after SCI in primates. 20 Therefore, reduction of Nogo-A and NgR expression is crucial to promote recovery of the injured spinal cord.…”

[Retracted] Meta‐Analysis on the Effects of Electric Acupuncture on Neural Functional Recovery and Related Pathways of Rats after Spinal Cord Injury

“…2 Hz-30 min B Xiao [23] 64 Male 200 ± 20 g T10 2 Hz-20 min C Yan [24] 36 Female 220-250 g T10 2 Hz-20 min A Zhang [25] 80 Male 230-270 g T10 20 Hz-30 min A Zhang [26] 54 Male 250 ± 20 g T9-T11 2 Hz-30 min B Zhao [27] 96 All -T8-9 2 Hz-30 min A Zheng [28] 48 Male 180-220 g L5 100 Hz-1 min A Zhu [29] 24 Male 180-220 g T10 2 Hz-30 min A 3 BioMed Research International…”

Mechanism Underlying Acupuncture Therapy in Spinal Cord Injury: A Narrative Overview of Preclinical Studies

“…Gao et al reported that HSP 90 participates in electroacupuncture-induced analgesia in chronic neuropathic pain ( Gao et al, 2021 ). Other signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt/Erk, Nogo/NgR, Rho/ROCK, and mTOR, may also include the acupuncture-related beneficial effects against SCI ( Renfu et al, 2014 ; Wei et al, 2018 ; Xiao et al, 2019 ; Li et al, 2020 ).…”