Acupuncture combined with moxibustion promote the recovery of spinal cord injury in correlation with Shh/Gli-1 signaling pathway

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2022 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2020.1766900 · Published: January 1, 2022

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how acupuncture and moxibustion (AM) can help in spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery by looking at the Shh/Gli-1 signaling pathway. The study found that AM treatment improved motor function, preserved nerve cells, and reduced cell death in rats with SCI. These improvements are linked to increased activity in the Shh/Gli-1 pathway, suggesting a mechanism for how AM therapy aids SCI recovery.

Study Duration

7 or 14 days

Participants

Male Sprague–Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Acupuncture combined with moxibustion (AM) treatment significantly improved hindlimb motor function in SCI rats compared to the SCI group.
2
AM treatment preserved nissl-stained positive neurons and decreased the number of apoptotic cells in SCI rats.
3
AM treatment increased the mRNA and protein levels of Shh and Gli-1 in the injured spinal cord of rats.

Research Summary

This study aimed to determine the effect and mechanism of acupuncture combined with moxibustion (AM) treatment on spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery in rats. The results demonstrated that AM treatment significantly improved motor function, preserved neurons, and reduced apoptosis in SCI rats. The study concludes that AM could improve the expression of Shh and Gli-1 in injured spinal cord of rats, which could be part of the underlying mechanisms of AM treatment for SCI.

Practical Implications

Clinical Application

The study supports the clinical application of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Mechanism Understanding

The findings enhance our understanding of the treatment effects of AM in SCI and repair, particularly involving the Shh/Gli-1 signaling pathway.

Future Research

Further studies are required to thoroughly interpret specific mechanisms of AM in the Shh/Gli-1 signaling pathway in SCI treatment.

Study Limitations

1
Further studies are required to thoroughly interpret specific mechanisms of AM in the Shh/Gli-1 signaling pathway in SCI treatment.
2
Not specified
3
Not specified

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