Efficacy of acupuncture on repair of glial scars in rats with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the underlying mechanism of acupuncture on nerve repair by investigating its effect on the differentiation of glial cells and the repair of glial scars. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to three groups: normal group, model group, and acupuncture group. Acupuncture was applied at Renzhong (GV26), Baihui (GV20), Fengfu (GV16), Yamen (GV15) and Hegu (LI4) within 12 h after TBI modeling with a frequency of one session per day for 4 weeks. Neurobehavioral assessment, hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunofluorescence detection, and magnetic resonance imaging scanning were performed on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after modeling of traumatic brain injury (TBI). RESULTS: Acupuncture promoted the proliferation of glial cells and glial scars at an early stage but inhibited the proliferation of glial cells and glial scars at a late stage. Morphological observations and immunofluorescence histochemistry showed that the morphology of the perilesional cortex in the acupuncture group was improved and the number of neurons was increased when compared with the model group. The lesion size of ipsilateral brain parenchyma in the acupuncture group was smaller than in the model group on days 7, 14, and 28 ( < 0.05) after TBI modeling. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture might have a bidirectional regulatory effect on glial scar repair after TBI by promoting the proliferation of glial cells and glial scars to limit the injured area and relieve nerve injury during the early stages, and by inhibiting glial scar hyperplasia to benefit the regeneration and repair of neurons and axons and promote neurological function recovery during the later stages.

Effect on the activities of daily life of the patients with traumatic spinal cord injury treated by the paraplegia-triple-needling method / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences in the efficacy on traumatic spinal cord injury(SCI) in the thoracic and lumbar vertebra between the paraplegia-triple-needling method and the conventional acupuncture therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The perspectively randomized controlled trial was adopted. Forty-eight cases of traumatic SCI in the thoracic and lumbar vertebra were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 24 cases in each one. The conventional rehabilitation training was applied in both groups. In addition, the paraplegia-triple-needling method was used in the observation group. In the treatment, acupuncture was applied to the points of the Governor Vessel and the Back-shu which, located two segments above and below the spinal injury plane separately. Acupuncture with the electric pulsing stimulation was applied to the motor points of the key muscles of the lower extremities. In the control group, the conventional acupuncture was applied to Huantiao (GB 30), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). In each group, the treatment was given once a day, one month treatment made 1 session. Totally, 3 sessions of treatment were required. Before and after treatment, as well as in 1-month follow-up visit after treatment, the modified Barthel index (MBI) and the function comprehensive assessment (FCA) were adopted to assess the activities of daily life (ADL) and the comprehensive function of the patients. The score of MBI and FCA were taken as the double response variables to imitate the multilevel model. The changing tendency of MBI and FCA along with the time was observed in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the follow-up visit, MBI and FCA score were all improved as compared with those before treatment in two groups (all P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in MBI and FCA score at any time point between two groups (all P > 0.05). In 4-month observation, there was a rising tendency with time in MBI and FAC scoe in both groups, which was roughly linear. As time went on, the increasing amplitude in the observation group was much bigger. It was explained that there was no difference in the short-term efficacy between two groups. However, the long-term efficacy in the observation group was much better.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both the paraplegia-triple-needling method and the conventional acupuncture therapy can improve the ADL and the comprehensive function of the patients with traumatic SCI of the thoracic and lumbar vertebra. Concerning the long-term efficacy, the paraplegia-triple-needling combined with the rehabilitation training achieves better result. This therapeutic program is safe and effective.</p>