| Objective:To explore effects of electro-acupuncture(EA)on promoting the recovery of sensory or motor functions and the expression of neurotrophic factors(NTFs),receptors and apoptosis genes following spinal cord transection in adult rats.Methods:24 adult SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=8 in each group): sham operated group,spinal cord transected(spinal cord was completely transected between T10-T11 segments)groups and EA(rats were subjected to bilateral EA at acupoints Zusanli-Xuanzhong and Futu-Sanyinjiao)groups.The recovery of motor or sensory functions in each groups were evaluated by BBB scoring at 1,2,3,4 weeks and CSEP at 2,3,4 weeks respectively.Finally,BDA tracing were performed in the former two groups.The other 72 rats were randomly divided into 9 groups(n=8 in each group): sham operated group,spinal cord transected groups and EA groups(survived 1,3,7,14 days respectively).The expression of NTFs,receptors and apoptosis genes in the precentral gyrus,spinal cord and soleus was demonstrated by RT-PCR technique. Densitometric analysis was performed using Bio-Gel Imagining system.β-actin was used as an internal control.Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and LSD-q test.Results:1.The BBB scoring of the sham-operated rats were 21.In the operated group and EA group,it is 0.14 and 0.67 at 1 week;1.57 and 1.95 at 2 weeks;2.57 and 5.24 at 3 weeks;4.67 and 6.28 at 4 weeks.The BBB scoring in EA groups were higher than the operated groups(P＜0.05).2.No CSEP could be recorded throughout the experimental period.EA reversed this trend,as demonstrated in a significant improvement in sensory function at 3 and 4 weeks(P＜0.05).3.BDA-positive axons were detected in spinal segment rostral to the lesion,but not in the segment caudal to the lesion and the scars.4. RT-PCR results showed:A:①Compared to the sham operated group,the observed factors showed no difference in the precentral gyrus following injury.②In the spinal segments rostral to the lesion,the expression of TrkC(1,7d),PDGF(1d),Bcl-2(1,3,7,14d) and Caspase-3(1,7,14d)mRNA showed a significant increase.But the expression of TrkB (3,7,14d)mRNA significantly decreased and other factors such as NGF,BDNF,TGF-β1, FGF-2,IGF-1,TrkA and Bax no change.③In the spinal segments caudal to the lesion, the expression of CNTF(1,3d),PDGF and TGF-[β1(1,3,7,14d),FGF-2(ld),TrkB (1,7,14d),Bcl-2(1,14d)and Fas(1,3,14d)mRNA significantly increased and NGF,IGF-1, TrkA,TrkC and Bax no change.④In soleus,the expression of TrkC(3d)and Bcl-2(1d) mRNA significantly increased and TrkA,TrkB,Bax,Fas no change.B:①Compared to the operated group,the expression of TrkB(7d)mRNA significantly increased in the precentral gyrus following EA,and Bcl-2 mRNA(1,3,7,14d)decreased and NGF,CNTF, BDNF,PDGF,TGF-β1,TrkC,Fas,Bax no change.②In the spinal segments rostral to the lesion,the expression of FGF-2(3,7d),TrkB(3,7,14d)mRNA significantly increased following EA.But the expression of TrkC(7d),Bcl-2(1,3,7d),Bax(3d),Caspase-3 (1,14d)mRNA significantly decreased and NGF,BDNF,PDGF,TGF-β1,TrkA,IGF-1 no change.③In the spinal segments caudal to the lesion,the expression of NGF,PDGF, TGF-β1 and Bcl-2(1,3,7,14d),TrkA(1,7d),TrkC(1,3d),Bax(3,7d)and IGF-1(3,14d) mRNA significantly decreased.The expression of CNTF,FGF-2 and TrkB mRNA increased at 1day and decreased at 3,7 and 14days.The level of Fas mRNA increased at 3day and decreased at 1,7 and 14days.④In soleus,the expression of TrkA,Bcl-2(14d) and TrkB(7,14d)mRNA significantly increased.But Fas(3,7d)and Bax(7d)mRNA significantly decreased and other factors such as netrin and TrkC showed no change.Conclusion:1.EA significantly promoted the recovery of sensory and motor functions in rats following spinal cord transection.2.EA changed NTFs,their receptors and apoptosis genes expression in injured spinal cord,precentral gyrus and soleus in rats,which indicated that these factors might be involved in EA promoted hindlimb functions in rats.
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