Effect of Electroacupuncture Treatment at Dazhui (GV14) and Mingmen (GV4) Modulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Rats after Spinal Cord Injury

Neural Plasticity, 2020 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5474608 · Published: January 21, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

Electroacupuncture (EA) is a potential treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). This study investigates how EA affects the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in rats with SCI. Rats with SCI were treated with EA at specific acupuncture points (GV14 and GV4). The researchers then examined the impact of EA on locomotor function, spinal cord tissue morphology, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The study found that EA improved locomotor function and alleviated histological damage in the injured spinal cord. EA also increased the levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR, while decreasing PTEN and caspase 3.

Study Duration

28 days

Participants

Sprague-Dawley rats (n=54 per group, divided into subgroups)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
EA improves locomotor function in SCI rats, as evidenced by increased BBB scale scores compared to the model group.
2
EA alleviates histological damage in the injured spinal cord, showing more complete organizational structure and smaller volume of the T2 hyperintense region on MRI.
3
EA activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by increasing the levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and p70S6K, while decreasing the levels of PTEN and caspase 3.

Research Summary

This study investigates the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats and elucidates the effect of EA on the mTOR and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The results suggest that EA on GV14 and GV4 could improve the recovery of locomotor function and histological morphology change after SCI in rats, through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. EA affects cell growth, apoptosis, and autophagy through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying EA's therapeutic effects on SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Electroacupuncture (EA) at GV14 and GV4 may be a viable therapeutic strategy for improving functional outcomes in spinal cord injury.

Signaling Pathway Modulation

EA's ability to modulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway suggests a mechanism for promoting cell survival, growth, and autophagy in the injured spinal cord.

Clinical Translation

Further research is warranted to translate these findings to clinical applications, investigating the optimal parameters and protocols for EA treatment in human SCI patients.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, limiting direct applicability to humans.
2
The specific mechanisms by which EA activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway require further investigation.
3
Long-term effects of EA treatment on SCI recovery were not assessed.

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