The Influence On GAP-43 And NCAM During The Process Of Repairing The Injured Sciatic Nerve Of White Rabbit With Electro-acupuncture

Objective: Through experimenting and researching the influence on the growth-associated protein (GAP-43) and the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) after sciatic nerve injury ( SNI ) of white rabbit with electro-acupuncture, observe the power for the treatment of injured peripheral nerve of white rabbit, and explore its mechanism furtherly, in order to provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment.Methods: 48 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (16/group): control group, model group, and electro-acupuncture treatment group. Squeeze both model group and electro-acupuncture treatment group with surgical clamp to build injury model of sciatic nerve SunderlandⅡ～Ⅲdegree. Needle"Huantiao"and "Zusanli" points at second day after nerve injury for the electro-acupuncture treatment group. Connect the wire of G6805-C treatment device to the tail of the needle. Use dilatational wave, and slightly shuddering of the needle in intensity. Let the needle stay for 20 minutes. Once a day, 7 days as a course of treatment, rest 1 day, then start the next course of treatment; the model control group isn't treated with needle, but sharing the same animal-picking with the electro-acupuncture-treated group; the control group receives no management. Observe their functional status of the right hind limbs after the end of the day of the first and second courses respectively. Detect the GAP-43 and NCAM content within the corresponding spinal cord segments (spinal cord at the lumbar enlargement) of all the three groups of rabbits, and compare the results.Results: On the improvement in the basic functions, comparing with the model group, the rabbits in the electro-acupuncture treatment group was significantly improved on the function of their right hind limbs. The change of the expression of anterior horn GAP-43: After the first and second course of treatment, GAP-43 level in the spinal cord was significantly higher than the control group and lower than the electro-acupuncture treatment group. The difference was significant (P <0.01) ; The change of the expression of anterior horn NCAM: After the first and second course of treatment, NCAM level in the spinal cord was significantly higher than the control group and lower than the electro-acupuncture treatment group. The difference was significant (P <0.01).Conclusion: This study proves that electro-acupuncture can promote the recovery of the function after acute sciatic nerve injury in rabbits. The content of GAP-43 and NCAM in the spinal cord was significantly increased in the electro-acupuncture treatment group of rabbits. It indicates that electro-acupuncture can increase synthesis and secretion of GAP-43 and NCAM in the spinal cord, and promote the regeneration and repair of injured peripheral nerves.