| Objective: To investigate endogenous proliferation and morphologicalcharacteristics of NG2cells during actue phase after compressed spinal cordinjury (CSCI) of rats, and to study the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA)on the proliferation and differentiation of NG2cells, so as to explore therole and mechanism of EA in remyelination of axons after CSCI.Methods: A total of126healthy male adult SD rats were randomlydivided into sham group, CSCI group, EA group and control group. TheCSCI group was underwent spinal cord compression by a self-made device,and the sham group was underwent only laminectomy. Expression ofNG2-positive cells in spinal cord was detected by IHC after1,3and7daysbetween sham group and CSCI group, and the average number, soma area,process length of them were measured by Image Pro Plus6.0.Thelocomotion function of hindlimbs were evaluated by BBB locomotor scaleand MEP after3,7,14days between EA group and control group, and theproliferation of NG2cells were detected by Double Immunofluorescence. Results:⑴After injury, the NG2+-cells proliferated mainly in thedorsal funiculus, NG2+-cells soma became smaller and processes becameshorter at1d. Then them proliferated throughout the entire spinal cord, andNG2+-cells soma became larger and processes became longer at3days.The number of NG2+-cells peaked at3days, and decreased at7d. However,the soma area and process length of NG2+-cells at7d kept unchangedcompaired with that at3d, but the process length of NG2+-cells at7daysstill shorter than sham group. There are many clusters of NG2+cells thatsmaller and round soma, less or without processes after CSCI (p＜0.05).⑵With the duration of time, the BBB score increased gradually afterdecompression in the control group rats, and EA treatment increased moresignificantly.⑶With the duration of time, the latency of MEP shortened and theamplitude of MEP increased gradually after decompression in the controlgroup rats, and EA treatment changed more significantly.⑷After decompression in the control group rats, cells proliferatedmainly in the demaged area, and7to14days towards stability. And EAtreatment, the proliferation of cells expanded, peaking by14days.Conclusions:⑴NG2+-cells would endogenous proliferate, migrate,and gradually mature.⑵After decompression, the locomotion function of hindlimbs of ratswould be self-recover, and EA treatment recovered more significantly. ⑶After decompression, the area and the degree of NG2+-cellsself-proliferate would be limite, however, EA could promote NG2+-cellsproliferation,differentiation, and to facilitate nerve repair. |
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