Hu Lin-Na, Tian Jin-Xin, Gao Wei, Zhu Jing, Mou Fang-Fang, Ye Xiao-Chun, Liu Yu-Pu, Lu Ping-Ping, Shao Shui-Jin, Guo Hai-Dong
Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Department of Internal Medicine, Shanghai Changhang Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Neural Regen Res. 2018 Mar;13(3):477-483. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.228731.
Using electroacupuncture and moxibustion to treat peripheral nerve injury is highly efficient with low side effects. However, the electroacupuncture- and moxibustion-based mechanisms underlying nerve repair are still unclear. Here, in vivo and in vitro experiments uncovered one mechanism through which electroacupuncture and moxibustion affect regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. We first established rat models of sciatic nerve injury using neurotomy. Rats were treated with electroacupuncture or moxibustion at acupoints Huantiao (GB30) and Zusanli (ST36). Each treatment lasted 15 minutes, and treatments were given six times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Behavioral testing was used to determine the sciatic functional index. We used electrophysiological detection to measure sciatic nerve conduction velocity and performed hematoxylin-eosin staining to determine any changes in the gastrocnemius muscle. We used immunohistochemistry to observe changes in the expression of S100-a specific marker for Schwann cells-and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect serum level of nerve growth factor. Results showed that compared with the model-only group, sciatic functional index, recovery rate of conduction velocity, diameter recovery of the gastrocnemius muscle fibers, number of S100-immunoreactive cells, and level of nerve growth factor were greater in the electroacupuncture and moxibustion groups. The efficacy did not differ between treatment groups. The serum from treated rats was collected and used to stimulate Schwann cells cultured in vitro. Results showed that the viability of Schwann cells was much higher in the treatment groups than in the model group at 3 and 5 days after treatment. These findings indicate that electroacupuncture and moxibustion promoted nerve regeneration and functional recovery; its mechanism might be associated with the enhancement of Schwann cell proliferation and upregulation of nerve growth factor.
采用电针和艾灸治疗周围神经损伤疗效显著且副作用小。然而，基于电针和艾灸促进神经修复的机制尚不清楚。在此，体内和体外实验揭示了电针和艾灸影响周围神经损伤后再生的一种机制。我们首先采用神经切断术建立大鼠坐骨神经损伤模型。对大鼠环跳穴（GB30）和足三里穴（ST36）进行电针或艾灸治疗。每次治疗持续15分钟，每周治疗6次，连续治疗4周。采用行为学测试来确定坐骨神经功能指数。我们用电生理检测法测量坐骨神经传导速度，并进行苏木精-伊红染色以确定腓肠肌的变化。我们用免疫组织化学法观察施万细胞特异性标志物S100表达的变化，并用酶联免疫吸附测定法检测神经生长因子血清水平。结果显示，与单纯模型组相比，电针组和艾灸组的坐骨神经功能指数、传导速度恢复率、腓肠肌纤维直径恢复情况、S100免疫反应阳性细胞数量以及神经生长因子水平均更高。两组治疗效果无差异。收集治疗后大鼠的血清，用于刺激体外培养的施万细胞。结果显示，治疗后第3天和第5天，治疗组施万细胞的活力明显高于模型组。这些结果表明，电针和艾灸可促进神经再生和功能恢复；其机制可能与增强施万细胞增殖和上调神经生长因子有关。
