Effect of Electro-Acupuncture on Neuroplasticity of Spinal Cord-Transected Rats

Medical Science Monitor, 2017 · DOI: 10.12659/MSM.903056 · Published: September 2, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how electro-acupuncture (EA) affects nerve regeneration in rats with spinal cord injuries. Researchers looked at the impact of EA on neurotrophic factors (NTFs), which are important for nerve health. The study found that EA treatment improved motor and sensory functions in the injured rats. This improvement was linked to changes in the levels of certain NTFs in the spinal cord. These findings suggest that EA may help the spinal cord recover after an injury by influencing the way nerves regenerate and reconnect.

Study Duration

4 Weeks

Participants

144 Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Animal Study

Key Findings

1
EA treatment led to obvious improvement in hindlimb locomotor and sensory functions in rats with spinal cord transection.
2
EA treatment significantly upregulated CNTF, FGF-2, and TrkB mRNA in the caudal spinal segment (CSS) following spinal cord transection.
3
Immunohistochemistry demonstrated an increased number of CGRP fibers, GAP-43, and synaptophysin profiles in the CSS in the EA rats, indicating enhanced nerve regeneration and synaptic formation.

Research Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on neuroplasticity associated with the expressions of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) and their receptors in rats subjected to spinal cord transection (SCT). EA stimulation promotes neuroplasticity and functional recovery of injured spinal cords by differentially regulating the expression of NTFs and receptors in the CSS. EA may be a potential therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury. Clinical trials evaluating EA are warranted.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

EA may be a potential therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury, warranting clinical trials.

Neuroplasticity Promotion

EA stimulation promotes neuroplasticity and functional recovery of injured spinal cords.

Targeted NTF Regulation

The systematic regulation of NTFs and their receptors after EA could be key to recovery.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The exact mechanisms by which EA influences NTF expression and neuroplasticity are not fully elucidated.
3
As we did not find regenerating corticospinal axons in CSS, it is possible that there are some subcortical contributions to the functional recovery

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