Li Jing-Wen, Hu Yan-Chao, Wang Yi-Ying, Mei Jin-Jin, Gao Jing, Ren Bin-Bin, Feng Xiao-Dong, Li Rui-Qing
School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
Rehabilitation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450099.
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2022 Aug 25;47(8):703-9. doi: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210696.
To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of Governor Vessel (GV) on the expressions of glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) and γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) in the cerebral cortex of rats with post-stroke limb spasticity, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of limb spasticity.
Twenty four male SD rats were randomly and equally divided into control, sham operation, model, and EA groups. The cerebral ischemia model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). EA (100 Hz, 1-3 mA) was applied to "Dazhui"(GV14), "Jizhong"(GV6) and "Houhui"( anteromedial of transverse process of the sixth lumbar vertebra) for 30 min, once daily for 7 consecutive days. The neurologic deficit score (0-5 points) was evaluated according to Zea Longa's method, and the muscular tension severity (0-5 points) was assessed according to the modified Ashworth muscle tone rating scale, and the tension signals of the quadriceps ferroris of the affected limb were recorded using tonotransducer and BL-420F electrophysiological recorder. The expression levels of GAD67 and GABA-T proteins and mRNAs in the cerebral cortex were detected by immunohistochemistry, fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, separately.
After modeling, the neurological deficit score, muscle tone score, and the expression levels of GABA-T mRNA and protein in cerebral cortex were significantly increased (<0.01, <0.05), tension signal value and the expression levels of GAD67 mRNA and protein in cerebral cortex were significantly decreased (<0.01) in the model group relevant to the control and sham operation groups. Following the intervention, the neurological deficit score, muscle tone score, and expression levels of GABA-T mRNA and protein in cerebral cortex were significantly decreased (<0.01), tension signal value and the expression levels of GAD67 mRNA and protein in cerebral cortex were significantly increased (<0.01, <0.05) in the EA group in contrast to the model group.
EA stimulation of Governor Vessel can ameliorate the limb spasticity symptom in MCAO rats, which may be associated with its functions in increasing the expressions of GAD67 protein and mRNA and inhibiting the expressions of GABA-T protein and mRNA, thereby playing the inhibitory role of GABA.
观察督脉电针（EA）对中风后肢体痉挛大鼠大脑皮质谷氨酸脱羧酶67（GAD67）和γ-氨基丁酸转氨酶（GABA-T）表达的影响，以探讨其改善肢体痉挛的机制。
将24只雄性SD大鼠随机等分为对照组、假手术组、模型组和电针组。采用大脑中动脉闭塞法（MCAO）建立脑缺血模型。将电针（100Hz，1 - 3mA）施加于“大椎”（GV14）、“脊中”（GV6）和“后会”（第6腰椎横突前内侧）30分钟，每日1次，连续7天。根据Zea Longa法评估神经功能缺损评分（0 - 5分），根据改良Ashworth肌张力评定量表评估肌肉紧张严重程度（0 - 5分），使用张力传感器和BL - 420F电生理记录仪记录患侧肢体股四头肌的张力信号。分别采用免疫组织化学、荧光定量实时PCR和Western blot检测大脑皮质中GAD67和GABA-T蛋白及mRNA的表达水平。
造模后，与对照组和假手术组相比，模型组神经功能缺损评分、肌张力评分以及大脑皮质中GABA-T mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著升高（<0.01，<0.05），张力信号值以及大脑皮质中GAD67 mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著降低（<0.01）。干预后，与模型组相比，电针组神经功能缺损评分、肌张力评分以及大脑皮质中GABA-T mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著降低（<0.01），张力信号值以及大脑皮质中GAD67 mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著升高（<0.01，<0.05）。
督脉电针刺激可改善MCAO大鼠的肢体痉挛症状，这可能与其增加GAD67蛋白和mRNA表达、抑制GABA-T蛋白和mRNA表达从而发挥GABA的抑制作用有关。
