Acupuncture Eae Mice Il-18, Mcp-1 Effects Of Experimental Research

Objective:To establish small rat model of EAE, and explore the effects of interleukin-18 and monocyte chemokine protein-1 in the production of EAE and mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of EAE, furthermore to compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture with hormone.Methods:60 small rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal group, model group, electro-acupuncture group, and hormone group. EAE small rats were immunized by injecting the antigens made of MOG35-55 and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), while normal group was induced by saline. Normal group and model group were given no treatments. Electro-acupuncture group was electro-acupunctured on baihui, dazhui, and acupunctured on shenshu. Hormone group was intravenous methylprednisolone by sodium succinate. Since the 6th day after the rats were immunized, the Kono scores and weight changes had been assessed every other morning. After 22 days, the levels of IL-18 and MCP-1 in brain were measured by ELISA.Results:(1) The small rat model of EAE was successfully made by injecting the antigens. (2) The level of IL-18 in model group and electro-acupuncture group compared with that of normal group was significant different (P<0.01). The level of IL-18 in hormone group was different from that of normal group (P<0.05). Also there was difference between model group with hormone group and electro-acupuncture group (P<0.05). But the level of IL-18 in electro-acupuncture group was similar with that of hormone group (P>0.05). (3) The level of MCP-1 in normal group compared with that of model group was significant different (P<0.01). The level of IL-18 in normal group was different from that of electro-acupuncture group and hormone group (P<0.05). Also there was difference between model group with hormone group and electro-acupuncture group (P<0.05). But the level of MCP-1 in electro-acupuncture group was similar with that of hormone group (P>0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can effectively control the inflammation development in EAE model and its possible mechanism was concerned with the restraint expressions of IL-18 and MCP-1. Both acupuncture and hormone were effective for EAE. Their therapeutic effects were equal. There is good prospect and exact mechanism in treating MS with acupuncture.