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 of Targeting Mitochondria on Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review Based on Animal Experiments / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To systematically evaluate the effect of targeting mitochondria on spinal cord injury animal models, and provide experimental evidence. Methods:Literatures about animal experiments of targeting mitochondria treatment for spinal cord injury were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Web of Knowledge, CNKI and Wanfang database from establishment to February, 2021. Three researchers independently screened the literatures and extracted the data, and they were summarized by qualitative analysis. Results:Eleven animal experimental studies were enrolled, including 548 animals with spinal cord injury. Six studies selected male or female Sprague-Dawley rats, and the rats in eight studies weighed 150~275 g. The animal models of spinal cord injury in all studies focused on T9~T11 contusive spinal cord injury, but there were differences in the use of spinal cord strikers and striking strength. The type, time, frequency, concentration and dosage of intervention drugs were all different. Due to the large heterogeneity of the included studies in animal species, animal models and outcome measures, qualitative analysis was conducted. Conclusion:Targeting mitochondria for spinal cord injury in animals could promote the recovery of motor function, reduce the damaged spinal cord tissue and increase the remaining tissue, enhance the ability of anti-oxidation and anti-apoptosis, and enhance mitochondrial biogenesis. Limited by the number and quality of included studies, the above conclusions need to be verified by more high-quality studies.

Effect of Iridoid-rich Fraction from Valeriana Jatamansi Jones on Neuron Pyroptosis in Rats with Acute Spinal Cord Injury / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the effects of iridoid-rich fraction from Valeriana jatamansi Jones (IRFV) on neuronal pyroptosis in rats with acute spinal cord injury, and to explain the related mechanism of neuroprotection. Methods:Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group and treatment group, with eight rats in each group. The model of spinal cord injury was established by using a medical aneurysm clip in the latter two groups. Only the lamina was removed without injury to the spinal cord in the sham-operated group. Four hours after the operation, the treatment group was given IRFV solution 10 mg/kg, the model group and the sham-operated group were given the same volume of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) solution, for seven days. The rats were sacrificed to detected the pathological changes and the residual area of spinal cord tissue through HE staining. The apoptosis of nerve cells of the spinal cord tissue at the perilesional area was detected by TUNEL fluorescent staining. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18 in serum were detected by ELISA Kit and the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected by Western blotting. Results:Compared with the sham-operated group, the residual area of spinal cord tissue decreased (P < 0.05), and the positive rate of TUNEL staining, the level of IL-1 and IL-18, and the expression of pyroptosis-associated proteins (NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD) increased (P < 0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the pathological condition of the spinal cord tissue improved and the residual area of the spinal cord tissue increased (P < 0.05); the positive rate of TUNEL staining, the level of IL-1 and IL-18 and the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD decreased (P < 0.05) in the treatment group. Conclusion:IRFV could attenuate the inflammatory response to exert neuroprotective effects, which may be related to the regulation of NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway to inhibit the neuronal pyroptosis in rats with acute spinal cord injury.

Characteristics of Genus-level Gut Microbiome in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the changes of genus-level gut microbiome in patients with spinal cord injury and its significance in clinical rehabilitation. Methods:Fecal samples were collected from 23 patients with spinal cord injury (patients group) and 21 healthy volunteers (control group). Gut microbiome was detected by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. Bioinformatics methods such as species composition analysis and Random Forest were used to analyze the distribution and difference of genus-level gut microbiome between two groups. Results:Compared with the control group, the increased important marker genera in the patients group were as follows: UBA1819, Ruminiclostridium 9, Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group, Ruminococcus 2, Ruminococceae UCG-005, Ruminiclostridium 5, Flavonifractor belonging to Ruminococceae; Aglistes, dgA-11 gut group, Rikenaceae RC9 gut group belonging to Rikenellaceae; [Eubacterium] oxidoreducens group belonging to Lachnospiraceae; Intestinibacter belonging to Peptostreptococcaceae; Escherichia-Shigella belonging to Enterobacteriaceae; Tannerellaceae belonging to Parabacteroides (|U| > 1.962, P < 0.05). The decreased marker genera in the patients group was Fusobacterium of Fusobacteriaceae (|U| = -2.284, P < 0.05). Conclusion:There are significant differences of gut microbiome in spinal cord injury patients. The relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae relating to depression, Ruminococcus relating to central nervous system diseases, and enteropathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella and Erysipelothrix increase; and the relative abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria and anti-inflammatory bacteria benefitting to the intestine decrease; which may play a role in clinic.

Potential Impact of Gut Microbiota on Spinal Cord Injury (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

With the deepening of microbial research in central nervous system diseases, the role of gut microbiota in spinal cord injury has also received extensive attention. At present, it is mainly focused on exploring the changes of gut microbiota after spinal cord injury and the potential effects of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists, short-chain fatty acids and lipopolysaccharides produced by bacterial metabolism on secondary inflammation after injury, and it is recognized that gut microbiota or supplemental flora metabolites may be a potential pathway for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

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>

Experimental study on inhibition of cell growth in colon cancer cell lines by non-steroidal anti-flammatory drugs / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect and mechanism of non-steroidal anti-flammatory drags(NSAIDs) on the colon cancer cell growth by using S-nitrosoglutathione(GSNO) which can produce nitric oxide.(Methods) Apoptosis of 3 colon cell lines were evaluated by cell growth curve and flow cytometry,the PGE_2 levels in cell culture supernatants were determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay method,and the(protein) expression of COX-1 and COX-2 were analyzed by Western blot.Results The production level of PGE_2 was increased with CSNO treated concentration and time.Using 500?mol/L CSNO treatment for 48h,the expression level of COX-1 and COX-2 protein increased.NASIDs can block the production of PGE_2 but had no effect on the inhibition of cell growth induced by GSNO.Conclusions GSNO can increase PGE_2(production) and induce COX-1 and COX-2 protein expression in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Higher concentrations of GSNO also can inhibite cell growth and induced apoptosis in all 3 cell lines.NSAIDs can block production of PEG2 but NSAIDs are no effect on cell growth.